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

GROUP XL,

LEEDS, TORE. AND MIDLAND ZUNCTION.
The Committee resumed this day at twelve o'clock. Mr. Stafford
O'Brien (chairman), and the other members all present.
Mr, Sergeant stated that the object of this line was to

connect the Important towns of Leeds and York by a shorter rotas
than that at present existing, which is 3134 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 pron Vied
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 grey ter
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 Lest
and most convenient manner, the Leeds and Bradford, and Midland
Railways, with the Leeds and Selby Railway at Leeds, and again
with the Harewgato 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 cancel by
the Learned Sergeant, and gave testimony in favour of this scheme,
t
both as regarded its engineering facilities and the accommodation
hat would be afforded to the population along the proposed route.
Colonel Wyndham, he conceived, would bentilt 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 Mr. Hudson's line.
Cross-examined by Mr. Hops—He thought Mr. Hudson was mis-
taken in his views regarding the merits of the proposed line. 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 increared 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 net strictly a.
full estimate of the necessary expenses to be incurred in forming
this line.

Mr. KnowLEs appeared on behalf of one or two individuals.
Mr. Sergeant WILENs having asked witness how many line*
would be crossed by Mr. Hudson's line, he/enumerated 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 having 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 2,010 tons of wool were carried
annually from York to Leeds, to be used in Leeds, Bradford,
Mr. Walker, carrier, called by
Keightley, and other places.
for a moment doubt but that a line was wanted between Yirk
The Iron. CHAIRMAN here observed, that the Committee did not
during the season 60 tones
tons of general mercbaningrw
and Leeds, but they really thought that the subject of mere tragic
might now be dispensed with, as, in their opinion, it applied equally
Mbyr.m.Hßnsnniii-01'„aidretifsierre
to all three of the competing lines.
and York. In his opinion
Mr. Sergeant Wri.xins said, after that intimation from the Com-
mittee, he should not press the point.
Cnort °s
Whether
say Whether the carrier put any of that into his own pocket, for
ther the-company only received 7s 6d
. any line to be constructed should take Da
Mj. 7s. 6d.
Wrianis, stated, that,
Mr. Clapham,seanlin edcallbedy
edearritheerj
00 per week was the average, and 15
se the average for the year between Leeds
Aberford and Tadcaster.
for two reasons ; first, because it was thepil
because it did the least damage to the farm occupied.Letpro projected, and nett,
and Selby line might as well be closed for any unlOset.loCnoi:
eds
benefit ileriv:dLfr
the transit of passengers.
To Mr. Hthnvinn—One line would answer his purpose prey
much as well as the other.
Mr. George Cooper was in favour of the prOposed line.
In reply to Lord NoRRETS, who asked which line would plaa
through his farm, witness said Mr. Hudson's.
Mr. John Beaver, farmer and cattle dealer, preferred the Janet", ts,
because he would like to get out of Mr. Hudson's bands.
Mr. George Edward Scriven, farmer and tallow-chandler, com-
plained of the delay in delivering goods on 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. Lo-
BINSON, who corroborated last witness.
By Mr. ALEXANDER—I hold fifty shares, and am a provisic tal
committeeman of the junction line.

Mr. John Wilkes, Ben., resides at Aberford, and is surveyor of tu
pike roads in that district. Presented a petition to ➢tiss Gascoigne,
signed by her tenants, requesting her aid to the proposed juncton
line. The road through Aberford and Tadcaster was the old turn-
pike road. The Leeds and York would not pass within a mile and s
half of either Wetherby or Thorpe-Arch. He was also a shareholeer.
Mr. Green stated that the other line, in his judgment, passed over
the more valuable property.
The Committee adjourned, at four o'clock, till twelve to-morrow.