The Sun.
London, England, 1846-06-16 00:00:00

The Committee thel

GROUP XLVI.
This Committee re-assembled to-day at twelve o'clock ; present
Mr. Bramstone (chairman), and the other members.
NEWCASTLE AND EDIN23I7ELGII-UPON-.
TYNE. AND GLASGOW DIRECT
NNC-
TION.
Mr. Stephenson was examined and bore testimony to the merits of
this line.

Mr. WHATELY then addressed the Committee, and Mr. KNOW ES
replied.
The Committee adjourned at four o'clock.

GROUP XLVII.
SWANSEA. VALE.
The Comir Mee on this group, which comprises the SaTaaenasemaelfatlac.,
the Shrewsbury and Hereford, and the Neath Valley l
day at one o'clock, when the preliminary line, who
ascertain-
ing who appeared for the several petitioners againstthe Swansea Vale
are numerous, the Committee decided upon taking
Railway first, arrangemeshoef
as well as the general standing orders of the
promoters,
stated that this
The formal proof of compliance, with Mr. Duracsoem,
wbeh'esaresolutions,
Mr. F. Bostsox, who appeared for the prroailway,
Swansea, which
for the pur-
lipanseew.fasopyrionjgecatcedeoas.manadaextitaeanswhich Is quite
feet high on either side.
features of the country was exhibited on
A map, showing the geological s
isolated, there being hills of fromtioo extension mineral
e valeto ,of
it appeared
daerpeodaitthedatitahae bbeadainofafcolimeaal abtoanute. Swansea, as
neces-
sarylinsdeedi
always is,
in the manufacture of iron ; and by breaking through the edge
of the Swansea basin, a great advantage would be obtained in provid-
ing this article. The line has been twice surveyed before, but in conse-
quence of some works for the improvement ofthe port being in progress,
the line could not be commenced until 1844, when it was seriously
adopted. The main line is sixteen miles long, and evidence was
adduced to show the particular features of it, but an opposition was
offerred by the Swansea Canal Company.
Mr. Brain, one of the witnesses, stated that during the severe
weather in the winter of the year before last, the canal had
been kept open by the iron and coalmasters at their own
expense, they employing upwards of a hundred men constantly
employed in breaking the ice. The witness believed that the slow-
ness of the canal transit was prejudicial in the way of necessity which
it induced for keeping large stocks of iron and coal at Swansea ;
and he conceived that coal was injured by being kept long in such
stocks, though he could not state an instance. The terminus
is as at present projected, would be at the top of
the valley, and around it there would be a scattered population.
at the base of a mountain with a valley winding round it. It ordi-
narily occupies sixteen or seventeen hours in carrying down a cargo
of coal or iron, there being 24 locks between the works of the wit-
ness and the canal basin.

On re-examination the witness stated that his boats, horses and
men were absent two days every voyage, while the journey
by railway would he perfcrmed in an hour and a half
at the most. He saw no objection to the making of shares
about the terminus; and the doing so would have the ad-
vantage of cheapening the wharf accommodation at Swansea, for his
own part, of which he paid 110/. yearly. He coneeived that the coal
was better on the eastern side of the Towel than that on the western
side, but the ground was not so favourable, and the means of com-
munication are bad. _ _

To the Chairman of one of the Committee the witness stated that
the injury sustained by coals, through the various means of tranship-
inent:was much greater than that by railread, and that during the
prevalence of long dry weather, the coal-oaners were obliged to re-
duce their freight by one seventh or eighth.
Mr. Barber, principal mine agent for Sir Charles Morgan, who has
much property in Qlamorganshire and Caermarthenshire, stated the
circumstances of the principle feeding branch, and that the tolls to
be taken upon the Monmouthshire Railway do not exceed Id. for
coals and 13 d. per ton for iron. The usual expectations of the in-
crease of traffic are quite likely to be fulfilled, and that this line is
likely to become a very valuable link in forming a trunk communica-
tion with the interior.
The Committee here adjourned till to-morrow.

GROUP LVI.
The Select Committee appointed to consider the merits of the
Bills comprised in this gronp re-assembled at the usual hour this
morning ; Mr. Ewart in the chair.
EAST AND WEST INDIA DOCKS AND
BIRMINOILAIVL JITECTION COMPANY.

The Committee were occupied the whole of the day in hearing the
opposition of the London and Blackwell [Company, who complained
that the proposed line, in crossing their railway on the level, would
interrupt and greatly inconvenience their traffic. The line was also
opposed by several landholders.
The Committee adjourned till to-morrow.

GROUP LVII.
This Committee met to-day at the usual hour, in'room 27, Grand
Corridor, Mr. Baring in the chair.

LONDON AND BIRMINGHAM AND MAN-
CHESTER AND BIRMINGHAM CANAL
JUNCTION.
The clauses of this Bin were gone through and passed.
The CHAIRMAN stated that he had had an interview with Lord Dal-
housie respecting the amalgamation, and his Lordship and the Board of
Trade had given an opin.on that if a clause were inserted in the Bill
to give the Board the power of interfering, if the amalgamation should
prove to be disadvantageous to the public, there was no objection to
theipassing of the Bill.

Aclauseto that effect was a:cordingly inserted, and the Corn•
mittee passed the preamble.
DtirDLER'S CANAL AND BIRMINGHAM CANAL AMAL.
GAMATION.

LONDON AND BIRMINGAAM (AILESB RY RAILWAY
PURCHASE).
SIIREWSBITEY AND OSWESTRY AND CHESTER JUNC-
TION AND NORTH WALES MINERAL RAILWAY AMAL-
GAMATIGN.

NORTH UNION.
LONDON AND BIRMINGHAM (BIRMINGHAM ARRANGE•
.VENTS.)

The clauses of these Bills, which were unopposed, were gone
through, and the preambles declared to be passed, on a clause being
Inserted in them similar to that above-mentioned.
The Committee then adjourned.

GROUP LVIII.
MIDLAND RAILWAY (PURCHASE OP
OAXHAM CANAL COMPANY).
(Continued from our Afternoon Edition.)
The Committee proceeded with the clauses of the Bill, which were
agreed to, and adjourned at four o'clock.

GROUP LXI.
SCOTTISH CONSOLIDATIONS.

Mr. Sergeant WRANOHAX (in continuation from our Afternoon
Edition) said—The traders had supported the Coltbridge Railway,
simply because they might have two means of access into Glasgow.
On one route they would have every advantage, while on the other
they would have to contend with every impediment, if the monopoly
were obtained by the Edinburgh and Glasgow Company. It was evi-
dent that the object of the latter company was to abstract the traffic
from its natural and direct channel, that of the Caledonian line,
which, if sanctioned, would have the effect of injuring the public Jr
general, traders especially, and the Caledonian Company peculiarly.
Other witnesses were called to prove the same facts, and at four
o'clock the Committee adjourned till to-morrcw.

GROUP LXIV,