The Sun.
London, England, 1846-04-02 00:00:00

NORTH BRITXSE (HAVTICIL BRANCH).

The Hon. Mr. TALBOT, Q.C., said he would very briefly lay before
the Commitee the merits of this line, which would pass through a
very extensive district, and involved very important considerations
to the public, and also to the welfare of the company. This scheme
was projected by the promoters of the North British Company, whose
ether Bill had passed yesterday, and the branches included in which
Bill would undoubtedly be feeders to their original line. The Com-
mittee, he dared say, had heard la course of the discussion which had
taken place in that room last year, that the North British Company
had been successthl in their attempt to obtain a line of railway be-
tween Edinburgh and Mawick, and the object of the present Bill was
to give accommodation to.the lateral interests, and principally to the
town of Galashiels, which was of griming importance. The Com-
mittee would have to decide as to the mode in which this company
proposed to bring the traffic of that country upon the mate line, so
as to be satisfactory to the public and remunerative to the com-
pany, and also as to whether there were any sufficient
countervailing objections to the project. He would new proceed to
call their attention to the proposed branches. They had a branch to
Inner Leithen and Peebles, and from those they had a branch to Ga-
lashiels. They had then a branch to Selkirk, which lay eastward of
their lice, and also to a place called St. Boswell'e. They had also
branches in the south to Melrose, and in the east to Kelso, as well
as to Roxburgh and Jedburgh. They would have a considerable
district lying on that portion of their line, and he thought he might
say with perfect truth with respect to the project of last year--the
Edinburgh and Hawick line—that it would be most materially im-
proved by the construction of the projected branches. The entire
district was one of very considerable agricultural importance, an t
there were also manufacturing interests of very considerable magni-
tude in that part of Scotland which it was most desirable to accom-
modate with railway communication. Everybody knew that Ga-
lashiels was a place of great commercial importance, and
that town, as well as those of Selkirk, Hawick, and Inner
Leithen, experienced considerable disadvantages in consequence of
there being no facilities of communication with each other. They
were manufacturing districts, and it was most desirable that they
should have facilities for communicating with each other. The whole
district was blessed by nature with very considerable water power,
which had induced the manufacture of cloth, &c., to a very great extent.
He would now direct the attention of the Committee to the merits of
another branch. The Committee had seriously blamed the promoters,
but he hoped undeservedly, for not marking upon their plan the rail-
way which had been authorised by Parliament last year, between
Berwick and Kelso. It certainly was not done for the purpose of dee
ceiving the Committee, and it was now plainly laid down on themap.
They proposed to extend that branch to Peebles, and it had been
Proposed by other parties front the westward to bring traffic east
and west of the line of the Great Caledonian Company, so
that from Berwick to the westward of Ayr, they would have
a sort of cruciform railway—the line of this Company
Dung the horizontal portion of the crosx, that of the Caledonian
'forming the other limb, and the Hawick project forming the lower
Tbefact tbataapoon as theproject at this Compap to Maar,

coMmedation to that district was set on foot, there was suddenly a host
of competitors, showed the importance and desirableness of the
project. The Caledonian, finding that the current of the feeling of
the landed proprietors in that district was n favour of this Compels'',
withdrew from the field. They had entered a retraxit with respect
to the line between Peebles and Simonton. The opposition had now
been withdrawn, and he was happy to state to the Committee that
they would not now have to decide between rival projects. They
would perceive that this project would give direct access to
Glasgow, and it was of course of the utmost importance that the
agricultural
.and manufacturing districts which he had alluded to
should have railway accommodation with the metropolis. They
proposed constructing branches to Selkirk, Melrose, Kelso,
Roxburgh, and Jedburgh, all of which would of course
desire the best and most direct communication with
Glasgow. That was the general outline of the case, and he would
now proceed to point to the Committee, in detail, but very shortly, .
the merits of the individual branches. And first, with regard to the
branch to Peebles, which left the main line south of Galashiels, which
they had already perceived was of considerable commercial importance.
It was of importance particularly in reference to its intercommunica-
tion with Selkirk, anti also with Hawick, in which district there was
now carried on a manufacture of considerable and growing im-
portance —the manufacture of Tweed trousering—which be believed
was patronised by a late noble and learned occupant of the Woolsack
In the House of Lords. Ile believed that that noble personage ad-
mired that article eery much.—(Laughter.) But, whether that was so
or not, it had become of considerable importance, and it was very
desirable that Galashiels should have the best communication with
the principal towns in Scotland and the whole of the United Kingdom.
in all of which Tweed trousering was very much used. They then
pursued the valley of the Tweed, in the direction of Inner Leithen,
where there was water-power of between 8,000 and 10,000 horse-
power now used in manulactures, and it was desirable to give that
district railway accommodation for the full development of its na-
tural resources. Steam power would of course be used extensively,
in a short time in that district, and it was neeessary that a branch
should be made to Gala.sle els and the Lothian, to supply it with
coals for that purpose. There were no engineering difficulties in that
district, and the inhabitants were extremely anxious for the con-
struction of a line, and he would undertake to bring forward most
respectable evidence to bear out his statements. He was sorry to
say-that this branch was opposed by a certain landowner, a gentle-
man for whom he entertained the greatest respect, and who he
regretted to find opposing the branch. The name of that gentleman
was Mr. Ballantyne, the proprietor of a place called Holylee, near
Inner Leithen. The place was, no doubt, a very agreeable one, being
situated on the north side of the Tweed; his house stood upon a
considerable eminence, and the ground fell for a considerable distance
underneath—the turnpike-road being lower than the level of his house.
The Company proposed to pass over his property in such a manner
no doubt as to affect as little as possible the rather pic-
turesque view which he at present possessed, but they
had no alternative. If they passed along the other side
of the Tweed, they would rouse the indignation and the
opposition of Lord Ellbank ; but Hon. Members knew very well that
opposition was raised against companies: of this sort on all sides ;
and if they were compelled to pass over Lord Elibank's ground, they
would cause far greater injury to his Lordship's ground than they
possibly could do to Mr. Ballantyne's. They, therefore, had to
choose between two alternatives. lie trusted when the Committee
came to the consideration of the evidence which would be laid before
them (which would, of course, be more satisfactory than any state-
ments that he could make), they would find that the Company had
done what was best under the circumstances. He hoped they would
not decide on rejecting the scheme of affording railway communica-
tion to Peebles, because Mr. Ballantyne's views might be injured.
He would now proceed to detail the particulars of the other
branches. The Selkirk branch was a portion of the Peebles branch.
Selkirk was a manufacturing place, and the inhabitants desired to be
connected with the main lines of this Company, for the obvious pur-
pose of obtaining a plentiful supply of coal, &c. East and west,
north and south of that branch he was happy to say the inhabitants
desired the project of this Company. With regard to the Kelso
branch. It lay in the neighbourhood of St. Boswell's, which was a
small town of some importance, and would bring considerable traffic
upon the main line. The Kelso branch would be impeded by no en-
gineering difficulties, and the town of Kelso embraced a population
of 5,000. It was the centre of au agricultural district of very greet
importance, and was, in fact, one of the largest agricultural market
towns in the south-west of Scotland. But it was sadly
deficient in accommodation with regard to the c,,al and
lime that were used for agricultural purposes. The length
of that branch was twelve miles and thee furlongs, and
the worst gradient in it was 1 in 100—there was no tunnel. At
Kelso they joined the Berwick and Kelso Railway so as to gain ac-
cess with Newcastle and all the princlp.l towns in England. He
would new call their attention to a case of opposition which it ap-
peared was intended to be offered against the Kelso branch by a
landed proprietor, Sir George Douglas, a resident in the neighbour-
hood, who was the owner of a beautiful ruin on which he set much
value. He alluded to the ruin et Roxburgh Castle ; but if they did
not interfere with the property of Sir George Douglas they would
fall into a more violent conflict with Captain Scott. There was ab-
solutely no alternative, and he, therefore• appealed ad
misericordiam, and he hoped that the Committee would
not sanction an unfair opposition to his client's pro-
jects for the purpose of preserving a valued ruin or a
a beautiful prospect. The length of the branch to Jedburgh was
eight miles, and Jedburgh being the county town of Roxburgh it was
of course, a matter of importance to afford the inhabitants railway
accommodation. He concluded by stating that the different projects
of the Company had received the sanction of the inhabitants of the
districts through which they passed, and if the Legislature refused to
authorise them they would deem it a matter of great disadvantage
to the public.
The CHAIRMAN then proceeded to the House of Commons, for the
purpose of obtaining an order from the Speaker to compel the attend-
ance of the two witnesses previously reterred to ; and in a short time
returned, and stated that the witnesses had been ordered by the
Speaker to tender their evidence, or warrants would be issued
against them.
Messrs. Ord, Dudgeon, and Laing, extensive farmers in the districts
of Kelso and Jedburgh, were then called, and gave evidence to the
effect that those districts were well cultivated, but entirely destitute
of line, coal, ire., which had now to be transported in carts from 20
to 30 miles, and that the construction of a railway would reduce the
cost of essential articles from one-half to one-third, as well as afford
a good outlet for their agricultural produce.
Provost Ker, of Peebles, and Messrs. Roberts and Gillen, manufac-
turers, also spoke to the great advantages the Peebles branch would
confer upon the manufactures of that district, particularly in giving
increased facilities to new mills which were about to be raised on the
Tweed and the Leithen, near Peebles. They admitted that, at pre-
sent, the intercourse between Peebles and Galashiels was not consi-
derable.

Mr. Marshall, traffic accountant to the principal lines in Scotland,
deposed that he ealculated the passenger traffic on the Kelso branch
would bring in 8,6181. per annum ; goods, 8,5801. ; coals, lime, &c.,
1,8181. • parcels, mails, &c., 1,2501. ; cattle and sheep, 1,0151. ; total,
21,856/. On the Jedburgh branch, passengers, 2,518/. ; goods,
1,0891, ; coal, lime, &c , 1,9501. ; parcels, 750/. ; total, 6,3071. On the
Selkirk branch, passengers, 1,3321. ; goods, 6011. ; minerals, 906/. ;
malls, &c., 500/. ; total, 3,3391. On the Peebles branch, 1,826/. ;
goods, 2,6861. ; coal, 7501.; parcels, 7501.; cattle and sheep, 1,0001. ;
parcels, 500/. ; total, 7,5621.
Mr. John Miller, engineer of the Company, was next called, and
deposed that he had laid out the several branches. The Kelso
branch left the main line near to a place called St. Bos-
well's, which was the nearest point to Kelso on the main
line. The length was 12 miles 3 furlongs and 30 yards.
There were no tunnels, and with the exception of the
crossing of the Teviot (which would be effected by a viaduct)
there were no engineering difficulties. The worst gradient was 1 in
75, and there were no objectionable curves. The Jedburgh branch
was seven miles three furlongs and 150 yards in length, the steepest
gradient 1 in 165, and the curves were not objectionable. There
were no engineering difficulties. The Selkirk branch was two miles
six furlongs and thirty yards, the steepest gradient being 1 in 200.
He was responsible for the laying down of these branches.
The Peebles branch had been projected to accommodate the people
of the Tweed, and give communication to Glasgow and Ayr. Inner
Leithen was a place of great resort in summer, and factories were
in course of erection there. He attached great importance to the
communication which the scheme of this Company would afford to
the east and west of Scotland. The district between Galashlels and
Peebles would also soon require railway accommodation. The
estimate of the Peebles branch was /42,0001., of the Selkirk,
2.5,8101., the Kelso, 175,6851., and the Jedburgh, 62,5841., making an
aggregate of 806,0791. ; to which he had added 43,9211. for contin-
gencies, which would give a grand total of 556,0001. He considered
that the project to cross Captain Scott's property was much prefer-
able to itttertering wish Lord Eilbank's, on many grounds.
This concaided the evidence on behalf of the promoters.
Captain Scott's opposition being withdrawn, the lion. Member for
Berwick was released from attendance.
Mr. Paxos then proceeded to call evidence in support of Mr. Bal-
lantyne's opposition, the first witness being
Mr. C. Hackett, a landscape gardener, who stated that he had
laid out the grounds of that gentleman, and he was of opinion that
they would be most materially injured. lie had often been referred
to in cases of this sort, and his arbitration had always been satisfac-
tory to both parties. The situation of Holylee was very pretty in-
deed. There were 68 acres planted, and the expense about 9,0001.
Mr. Evans, a gentleman residing in the neighbourhood, described
the property as very beautiful, and the house, which was built by
Mr. Ballantyne, as excellent.
The CHAIRMAN said the Committee did not want any more evi-
dence as to the amount of resident:al injury.
Mr. Paten said he should like to tender engineering evidence, for
the purpose of showing that it would not be a difficult matter to alter
the line, so as to leave untouched the Holylee propery.
Mr. Sergeant BetLasis having replied to the evidence,
The room was cleared, and on our re-admission,
The CIIAIRMAN said—Mr. Sergeant Bellasis, the Committee are of
opinion that the immediate prospect of traffic will not justify the in-
terferente with private property and the expenditure of capital re-
quired to form the Peebles branch, and therefore recommended the
Peebles branch to be struck out of the preamble; that is to say,
where it forms a junction with the Selkirk branch.
Mr. Sergeant Iseixasis assented to the recommendation.
The Committee then adjourned till eleven o'clock to-morrOW.