The Sun.
London, England, 1846-05-12 00:00:00

GROUP XL

LEEDS, YORK, AND MXDLAND 317 NOTION.
The Committee resumed this day at twelve o'clock. Mr. Stafford
O'Brien (chairman), and the other members all present.
Mr. Sergeant WILKINS stated that the object of this line was to
connect the important towns of Leeds and York by a shorter route
than that at present existing, which is 31% miles by railway, though
the turnpike road is only 24 miles; and the fact of there being
two other competing lines was an evidence of a new line being
wanted. Some of the peculiar advantages which this line promised
over those of its competitors were that it is the shortest—that it has
the best gradients—that It passes through and accommodates the
towns of Aberford and Tadcaster, the latter of which is by far the
most considerable town between the two termini—that the local po-
pulation is as great as on any route which can be adopted, and greater
by far than on that of the Leeds and York—that it traverses 'valuable
fields of coal and limestone—that it connects together, in the best
and most convenient manner, the Leeds and Bradford, and Midland
Railways, with the Leeds and Selby Railway at Leeds, and again
with the Harowgate and Church Fenton and the York and North
Midland Railways further along the line; thus also opening out the
most direct communication :with the Port of Hull—that it effects a
greater amount of public accommodation at a proportionably less
cost than either of the other lines, and that it has the sanction of the
principal landowners with one or two exceptions, and also of a pre-
ponderating proportion of the occupiers along the line.
Mr. John W. Leather,:C.E., and engineer to the line, was callai by
the Learned Sergeant, and gave testimony in favour of this scheme,
both as regarded its engineering facilities and the accommodation

that would be afforded to the population along the proposed route.
Colonel Wyndham, he conceived, would benefit by the line, that
gentleman being owner of a large part of Tadcaster, and the
amount of earthwork on Sir Edward Vavasour's property was less
than on Hr. Hudson's line.

Cross-examined by Mr. HOPE—He thought Mr. Hudson was mis-
taken in his views regarding the merits of the proposed Hue. Had
had little or no experience in working railway lines.
Cross-examined by Mr. HARDY—The directors had abandoned the
junction with the London and York, because they had not allotted a
sufficient number of shares to raise the increased amount of capital
that would have been required. Could give no account of the
amount of toll that Mr. Hudson would exact for crossing his lines,
and using his stations, consequently his estimate was not strictly a
full estimate of the necessary expenses to be incurred in forming
this line.

Mr. kNOWLY.S appeared en behalf of one or two Individuals.
Mr. Sergeant WILKINS having asked witness how many lines
would he crossed by Mr. Hudson's line, heienumerated eight, of the
majority of which, however, Mr. Hudson was chairman. Had con-
structed works involving much greater engineering difficulties than
any on the proposed line. He thought Mr. Birkenshaw entered the
field too late, Mr. Hudson hastng published no notice of his line till
October, whilst he commenced operations in August.
Mr. ROBINSON then called Mr. Wilson Ackroid, a worsted. spinner,
of Otley, who stated that upwards of 2,000 tons of wool were carried
annually from York to Leeds, to be used in Leeds, Isradford,
Keightley, and other places.

The Hon. CHAIRMAN here observed, that the Committee did not
for a moment doubt but that a line was wanted between York
and Leeds, but they really thought that the subject of mere tra2lc
might now be dispensed with, as, in their opinion, it applied equally
to all three of the competing lines.

Mr. sergeant Wit.KlNs said, after that intimation from the Com-
mittee, he should not press the point.
Cross-examined by Mr. HILDTARD—Paid the carrier 10s. Could
not say whether the carrier put any of that into his own pocket, or
whether the company only received 7s. 6d.

Mr. Walker, carrier, called by Mr. Serg-eant WILIINg, stated, that
during the season 60 tons of wool per week was theia age, and 20
tons of general merchandise the average for the yearNb.eert
s
and York. In his opinion, any line to be constructed shoUenledtaLkeeedh!
Aberford and Tadcaster.
Mr. Clapham, called by Mr. ROBINSON, preferred the junction line
for two reasons ; first, because it was the first projected, and next,
because it did the least damage to the farm he occupied. The Leeds
and Selby line might as well be closed for any benefit it derived from
the transit of passengers.
To Mr. lIILDTARD —One line would answer his purpose pretty
much as well as the other.
Mr. George Cooper was in favour of the proposed line.
In reply to Lord NORREYS, who asked which line would pass
through his farm, witness said Mr. Hudson's.
Mr. John Beaver, farmer and cattle dealer, preferred the junction,
because he would like to get out of Mr. Hudson's hands.
Mr. George Edward Scriven, farmer and tallow-chandler, corn-
plained of the delay in delivering goods OR the York and Selby, and
also of the danger at the Great Meicklefield station.
To Mr. ALEXANDER—Has five shares in the proposed line.
Mr. Joshua Wilkinson, haberdasher, was next called by Mr. RO-
BINSON, who corroborated last witness.
By Mr. ALEXANDER- I hold fifty shares, and am a provisional
committeeman of the junction line.
Mr. John Wilkes, sen., resides at Aberford, and is surveyor of turn-
pike roads in that district. Presented a petition to Miss Gascoigne,
signed by her tenants, requesting her aid to the proposed junction
line. The road through Aberford and Tadcaster was the old turn-
pike road. The Leeds and York would not pass within a mile and a
half of either Wetherby or Thorpe-Arch. He was also a shareholder.
Mr. Green stated that the other line, In his judgment, passed over
the more valuable property.
The Committee adjourned, at foer o'clock, till twelve to-morrow.

GROUP XLIII.
SOBV°II7I:IETSZCIRE MIDLAND.
(Continued from our Afternoon Edition of yesterday.)
Mr. F. Fox was then examined by Mr. Sergeant KINGLAKE,
and proved the accuracy of the levels referred to by Mr. Gregory.
Cross-examined by Mr. Guanzy—ln his cross-examination he ad-
mitted that the line could not be made within the line of deviation,
unless in the form of a corkscrew..
Mr. Sturge was the next witness examined, who statakillat ho
went over the ground with Mr, Fox. and spoke) to the ACCUTAcY Of
the levels taken by him,

Mr. G. C. Ashmead proved the accuracy of the levels as taken by
Mr. Fox.

Mr. BIDDER considered that it would be much more expensive to
work a line with these gradients than upon a line where the gradients
were less severe, in consequence of the necessity there would be to
keep engines always in readiness to ass,st trains in getting up the
incline.
The cross-examination of Mr. Bidder having been concluded, the
Committee adjourned till twelve o'clock to-morrow.

GROUP XLIV.

FLEETWOOD, PRESTON, AND WEST
RIDING JUNCTION.

- -- •
/(Continued from our Afternoon Edition of yesterday.)
In the cross•examination of Mr. Smith (the witness, not the coun-
sel) and of Mr. Cundy, it appeared that the East Lancashire line,
like the Fleetwood and Preston, was a line proposing to afford com-
munication between Fleetwood and Elslack, which, in the case of the
East Lancashire, was to be effected by the assistance of two other lines.
One of these, the Blackburn and Preston, was now completed, and would
be opened in a few days. It commenced at a point about four
miles from Preston, where it left the North Union Railway, which
had a station at Preston. It proceeded from that point to Black-
burn, nearly in a direct line. The East Lancashire line, which was
now in course of construction, commenced at Blackburn, where It
joined the Blackburn and Prestos line, and proceeded by Accrington
and Burnley, to Coln. The Leeds and Bradford Lxtension
Railway, a line now in progress, proceeded from the East Lan-
cashire Railway at Coln, to Elslack, and various other places,
Mr. Smith said that he very much preferred the Fleetwood and
Preston to the East Lancashire line, and if both were made he would
make nse of the Fleetwood and Preston.
Mr. Clough, a flax merchant, at Preston, gave general evidence in
favour of the proposed line. He thought it would cause a conside •
rabie improvement in the flax trade, because in the first place it
would give an outlet to the flax trade itself; and secondly, it would
give a communication with the coal district, and by lowering the
price of coal it would enable the owners of flax mills to work them
at a cheaper Tate than they can at present.

Mr. Longsdale, agent at Fleetwood of a firm of carriers, gave
evidence in favour of the proposed line. He gave In support of his
views statistical details as to the traffic of Fleetwood, which, how-
ever, are of no public interest.

Mr. Pennington, superintendent of the goods department on the
Preston and Wyre line, gave similar evidence, with statistical details
as to the traffic on that line. He thought the proposed line would
give great accommodation to the people of the neighbourhood through
which it passed.

A discussion here ensued as to whether a petitioner against the
Bill had a locus standi when the branch which would have injured
his property was abandoned. The Committee ultimately declined to
hear the petitioner.

It was then found that the parties were not prepared to go any
further in the case of the Fleetwood and Preston Railway, and the
case, therefore, stood over.

Mr. Sergeant WRANGUAM then opened the case of the
CLITHEILOE JUNCTION.

The fifth Bill on the list. The Learned Counsel addressed the
Committee at great length on the part of the promoters of the Bill,
and at the conclusion of his speech, it being now four o'clock, the
Committee adjourned till to-morrow at twelve o'clock.

STANDING ORDERS' COMMITTEES.
HOUSE OF LORDS.
Their Lordships met this day at the usual hour. Present—The
Earl of Shaftesbury (in the chair), Lords Hawarden, Redesdale, and
Ilchester.
WATERFORD, WExFORD, WICKLOW AND DUBLIN
RAILWAY.
In this case, Mr. BURKE, on the part of the Parliamentary agents,
appeared before the Committee, and prayed an adjournment until
Monday next, for the purpose of taking the sense of the shareholders
being expressed at a public meeting in Ireland.--Application granted.
SOUTH-EASTERN RAILWAY (RYE TO RYE HARBOUR.)
This case came before the Committee on merits and on proof that
three level crossways were of no public inconvenience.
Evidence as to these points having been given at great length,
Earl SHAPTESBCRY intimated that the Bill had passed.
Their Lordships then adjourned at five o'clock.

LAW INTELLIGENCE,
COURT OF QUEEN'S BENCH, May 11.
(Sittings at Nisi Prius.)
TUCKER V. ELKIN.

This was an action of ejectment. The plaintiff was
trustee under the will of the late Mr. Tucker, for his widow,
and sought to recover the possession of certain premises
which the defendant held under deceased, and from whom
deceased's son often received rent. Defendant contended that
he held the premises under the assignee of anotker will, and
was not the tenant of defendant.

The case occupied a considerable time, but was of no public
interest.
The jury found for the lessors of the plaintiff.

COURT OF COMMON PLEAS, May 11.
INGRAM W. LENNOX.

This was an action for the recovery of 1001., lent upon a
bill of exchange to a person named Williams, for whom de-
fendant became security. The defence set up was, that the
date of the bill had been altered after the defendant had first
seen it.—The jury found for the plaintiff.
The other cases tried during the day were of the same
character.

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.
BOW STREET.

Mr. John Dowker, a medical student, and Mr. Roper, a
fellow-student and companion, both of St. Bartholomew's
Hospital, were finally examined on suspicion of stealing a
silver fork from an oyster-shop in Vinegar-yard.
The depositions of the former witnesses were fully taken,
and the following additional evidence elicited :
John Tozer saw his sister, who served the oysters, carry up
two silver forks for the use of the prisoners, and, with her,
missed one of them immediately after the departure of the
young men from the shop. His sister went to look for them,
and meanwhile Dowker returned for his umbrella, and was
instantly charged with having taken the fork. He said, if
anybody took it, it must have been the young man who ac-
companied him, and whom he had known only a few hours,
having met him at Moncrieff's, where he had been playing
at cards with him. He was then given into custody.
Sergeant Chadwick took him to Bow-street. Dowker de-
nied that he had taken the fork ; but offered him half-a-
sovereign not to take him to the station-house. He said, in
the first place, that he was a student in King's College ; but
after inquiry had been made, he referred witness to St. Bar-
tholomew's. Witness did not think him drunk. He ap-
peared confused, and might have been drinking; but he knew
what he was about. Whilst at the police-station be wrote a
note to Mr. Clark, of the Artichoke public-house, in White
Hart. street, in the following words :—" Dear Clark,—Come,
and bring all the friends you can, as I am accused of stealing
a silver fork from an oyster shop."
Inspector Black took the charge at the police-station.
Dowker there stated that, " as he was passing along Holborn
(uot knowing his way to Catherine-street), he met this, man
in the street, and asked him to show him the way ; upon
which they walked together to Moncrieff's, in i3rydges-
street, and had some ale and played at cards together, after
which they went to the ovster-shop." Ile also told. witness
that he knew Moncrieff; but, on the latter being sent for,
he said that "he never saw Dowker before, that lie had not
been to his house, and that there was no such thing as a pack
of cards in his place."
The only evidence against the other youug T.nan (Roper)
was, that he was the party who accompanied Tdowker to the
oyster-shop, having previously dined with b,im at Clark's,
where they were in the habit of meeting. Immediately on
hearing that he was suspected joiatly with Dowker, he sur-
rendered himself for examination.

Mr. HALL decided on committing them lioth to the sessions
for trial, but consented to admit them to bail.
WORSHIP-STREET.
John Conway, a powerful Irishman, 'gas placed at the bar
before Mr. Bingham, charged with the following brutal out-
rage, and two other men, named Joseph Conway and James
Mann, were charged with attempting to rescue the first-
named prisoner from custody, and violently assaulting the
police in the execution of their duty.
It appeared from the evidence that at 12 o'clock on Satur-
day night the prisoners forced their way into the Crown
public•house, in Church-street, Shoreditch, and demanded
to be served with drink, but the barwonsan, in consequence
of the lateness of the hour, refused to comply with their
orders, and requested them to leave without; on which John
Conway seized a large tumbler from the counter, and, smash-
ing it to pieces, flung the fragments at her head. On hear-
ing.the uproar occasioned by the prisoners' conduct, Joseph
Drew, the potman, hastened to her assistance, and was re-
monstrating with the elder Conway, when he seized Drew by
the hair, and forcing him against the wall, attempted to
gouge out his eye with his thumb, and although thwarted in
his intention, inflicted such a severe laceration on the upper
part of the cheek with his nails that the eye became blood-
shot and much swollen. He finally struck the witness
several blows about the head, and was proceeding to
further vioience, when several policemen, who had been
attracted to the house by the disturbance inside,
succeeded in getting in and seizing the first-named prisoner;
but the instant two of them, Sergeant Price and M'Govern,
66 H, had done so, they were struck down and severely
kicked by the other two men, who expressed their determi-
nation to rescue their companion, and resisted so violently
that it required the united efforts of six constables to over-
power them and convey them to the station.
In answer to the charge the prisoners all pleaded intoxica-
tion, and declared that they had no recollection whatever of
anything that had taken place.
This assertion, however, was positively contradicted by the
police, who described them as being both sober and perfectly
sensible of what they were doing.
Mr. BLNGHAM said he was sorry to see that the horrible
practice of gouging, which had been imported from the most
barbarous part of the back settlements of America, was ra-
pidly gaining ground in this country; and as lie was deter-
mined, in every case of the kind that came before him, to
check such brutality as much as possible, he should order
the elder Conway to pay a penalty of 4/. for his attack upon
Drew, or, in default of so doing, to undergo six weeks' im-
prisonment in the House of Correction, and in addition to
that, should commit him for the further term of one month,
without the infliction of any penalty, for the assault upon
the police; and sentence each of the other prisoners, whose
conduct had been of a less violent description, to 21 days'
imprisonment in the House of Correction, also without the
option of paying any penalty, for their participation in the
outrage.

LAMBETH.
IscrrENT4 A SERVANT TO PLUNDER TTla EMPLOYER.—
Thomas Smith, Edward Waller, George Greenhick, and Win.
Henry Alexander, all of whom are well known to the police,
were placed at the bar before Mr. Elliott, on a charge of in•
citing William Curtis, a servant in the employment of Mr.
Stokes, a boot and shoe-manufacturer and leather-cutter in
an extensive way of business in the Walworth-road, to plun-
der his master. It appeared that Sergeant Morton and Po-
lice-constable Quinnies, of the P division, had discovered that
the lad Curtis had been in the habit, for some weeks past, of
assembling with the prisoners, and, knowing the characters
of the latter, they acquainted Mr. Stokes with the circum-
stance. On examining his stock Mr. Stokes missed a quan-
tity of leather, and also some shoes and boots, and, Curtis
being charged with taking them, he made a disclosure
which led to the apprehension of the prisoners. Curtis,
who was placed at the bar with the other prisoners, made
a lengthened voluntary statement, in which he said he
had been beset by the prisoners, who first by entreaties
endeavoured to induce him to rob his master, and
od hLiinwhihliel alfhtothhweeeyvvearl,ue of every article he procured
threatened
t 0
00
idoofoarinny
iisn gm
master
erthe
f
sf(
offrr et
rt:h
upon
:net Ling that would t rgeaai nvt
ese
dp
himo
threats,
ht
rieloai mteso:o
piaelnecd
00,
fmbgepotlooi rededt doing this,
titohhgei
iss
r,.
At they also
length,also b threatened 3. their
rteop
request, and had ou more than one occasion handed them
pieces of leather over a fence from the premises of his master.
They subsequently pressed him to lock them into the shed
of his master some night, so that they might rob the pre-
mises; and also asked him if he was aware whether his
master kept much money in the house, and, if so, if there
would be much difficulty in getting at it. lie refused to
locic them into the shed, and told them that his master had
loadedbell s t ofir allea therns doorso n and One
or windows,tivo 0 them
saidhk(
e) house, and
atasrtimiltunhiilssitoa
oi
Luk beingtito
go; but they,maansdt
master. The
did
the case,
The prisoners de-
the lad, and said that the
and
Curtis himself;that he fre-
offer to rob first came from
bring.
a truck with them, and he
quentiv requested them to
his
pilaster
's leather. The pri-
soners fill it for them with
ntgiiemetde arnhretuirilechliaetsdoweofafttsihie‘e propertydi sclos u 'froer tot them,
the others.
tnedme
de n tto a
fu
tare day, Curtis being
orderdwtoerbee aklelptrNeasmpotaaart from

WESTMINSTER ScßooL.—The noblemen and gentle-
men educated at the above distinguished scholastic foundation cele-
brated their anniversary dinner on Saturday lain, at too Thatched
House Tiwern, St, James'oltreet,