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

GROUP XLIV.

FLEETWOOD, PRESTON, AND WEST
RIDING zurecTlorf.
((Continued from our Afternoon Edition of yesterday.)
In the cross-examination of Mr. Smith (the witness, not the coun-
sel) and of Mr. Curdy, 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 Preston line, and proCeeded by Accrington
and Burnley, to Coln. The Leeds and Bradford Extension
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 use 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-
rable 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
eta cheaper Irate 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.

3fr. Sergeant WEANGIIAM then opened the case of the
CLITHEROI3 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. BCRICE, 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 SuArrEsenty intimated that the Bill had passed.
Their Lordships then adjourned at five o'clock.