The Sun.
London, England, 1846-06-20 00:00:00

SWANSEA VALE

undertaking, but the preamble of the Bill was eventually declared
by the Committee to be proved. The clauses Were gout through, and
having been agreed to Vittca few verbal antendments, the Committee
Adjourned at four o'clock •

GROUP LIII.

The Select Cominittee appointed to inquire Into this Group of
Railway Bills re assembled this morning, pursuant to adjournment,
in Room 26 (Grand Corridor); present, the Hon. E. Lascelles (in the
chair), the Earl of Arundel and Surrey, Mr. Hildyard, Mr. It. Clay-
ton, and Captain Dalrymple.
SHIM VISBURY AND BIR,IVIINGICAM.

Mr. CORBETT opposed the line on behalf of certain landowners
through whose property this project would pass. Mr. Thorneycroft
was one of the principal of the petitioners. He intended. if the
preamble were passed, to object' to the dausea, but he hoped that the
preamble would not be declared by the Committee to be
proved. The works of Messrs. Hatherton, Henderson, Hyde,
and Clarke, and Joseph Mellor, of Wolverhampton, would
be destroyed if the ];ill were passed. There was another
line, which would come before the consideration of the
Committee, which would afford his clients mach better accommoda-
tion than the Shrewsbury and Birmingham, and which would not at
all injure their works. He therefore hoped that the Committee
would pause well before they passed the preamble of thiS Bill. In
endeavouring to accommodate some parties, the promoters of this
Bill proposed to injure the interests of others Ins manner that Par-
liament could net sanction. He did not oppose the scheme merely
on the old narrow ground that it was a railway. The peti-
tioners on the contrary, believed that a railway would be
of infinite benefit to them, but they begged to repre-
sent that there was another scheme which would afford
equal and even better accommodation, without inflicting the same
injury on private property. The Learned Counsel then explained by
the aid of a wooden model which lay on the table before the Com-
mittee, the manner In which this line would injure the property of
his clients. If this line were formed, it would divide his extensive
works._ which would render them less valuable. It would also cause
,; wmdes•-fields-road to be raised on a high embankment, which
ure.l.ruia have the effect of forming a complete barrier is the access to
vitzeirs works on the most extensive side. Further than
obtainttb,._t_he Shresisbury and Birmingham had not yet
the manneeoec;.:!rpro trestees.of that road to interfere withit in
templatedalterattee,„mb° trustees of the road were against the eon-
at that part where theii4w
' hbi
elithentem's , Znertares;nl
Inconvenience to the „AdiC.l.l3,anss uneerneaathmiot,uansttoo
been it vested in the er,..um,.. '
slightest barrier were put to tit.
most serious, not only to them but that'
, which would be raised to such a height
feamuseonesyerilioauds
results would
dthbee
district. The proposed interference eng„,.inr_mmi_ ty at laree in that
uncalled for.
Mr..
CoaBETT, having called the atten:tou:trigu ata
wa's
totally
too the --'' Proceeded
the local grievances which tis ne would tem, "e Committee t...
to be afforded district through which this rifle "1' Proposed
to the
dress them generally with reference o aosesamod.„. to ad..
was little difference Shrewsbury and Wolverhampton,
between that afforded by this lute the ox„
..,g
The case of Mr. Thorneymi -1.".
and Wolverhampton. , t had
Worce.ter,
contended, that as between b hamDto.,
ther
been attempted to be .
. oh ! oh'd ' down by Learned Counsta,
because he happen was one of the most intelligent,
own witnesses admitted that lie
ed to be the chairman of the rival line, but their
wealthy. and respectable • .11 a local, but a ea-
merel) i
sheuld consider this subject, not
d Counsel had over and
men in his neighbourhood. The Committee
tional point of view. The Learne
over again attempted to impress up
But Mr. Chauee,
tion did not profit, but damage the public interests.
itted that the contrary
ose of their witnesses, had, by chance, adm
on the Committee that competi-
' to the district throae, iwhich
was the fact. The p, omoters of this line proposed to dry
which had given good accommodation
160 miles, following
.ffpri nal
it passed. The line, which would be about 150 or
tere. ,1 lie
the course of the canal, would dodge in and out every
Learned Counsel then dwelt at some length on the fact that all the
ironmasters of Wolverhampton and the neighbourhood were not, as
had been attempted to be represented, in favour of this scheme.
On cross-examination the witnesses admitted that sonic of
the most exterive iromnasters of that district were agaithit
this line, and in favour of its rival. Why was th2re
to be an ascent in this line at Wolverhampton of forty
feet? Not for the interests of the inhabitants, but to benefit a few
individuals who were interested in the Birmingham Canal. Should
the Committee then decide that the station proposed by this Ccm-
pany for Wolverhampton was the best? Public opinion, he said, was
no doubt divided upon the subject of these schemes ; he believed it
would be proved by the witnesses on behalf of his clients, that that
opinion preponderated in favour of the scheme which he had advo-
cated. The Learned Counsel having concluded his speech, which
occupied nearly three hours in delivery, by calling in evidence.
Mr. Thomas Merritt, architect, surveyor, and valuer, stated that
Mr. Thorneycroft's works ranked second in the neighbourhood
of Wolverhampton, and that the Shrewsbury and Birmingham
would interfere most seriously with the access to the works. He
described on the model before alluded to the situation of the works,
and the manner in which the rival lines proposed to cross that part
of the town. Mr. Thorneycroft had at present a frontage of 300
yardp to Horaley-flelda-road, which this lluo would cut off. From

10,000/.,0,17,000/. had been expended in the erection of Mr. Thor-
neyeroft's .wOrks ; they were amongst the best in the neighbourhood.
The height of the embankment of the Horsley-fields-road, at the
point where the Shrewsbury and Birmingham line would pass,
would be 21 feet, the gradient would be 1 in 20. The
eligible site of Mr. Thorneycroft's works enabled h m to
manufacture his goods at a cheaper rate than he otherwise could do.
The bulk of Mr. Hatherton's work would be destroyed, for the line
proposed to pass through the works, and the adjacent valuable
works of Messrs. Hatherton, Mr. Henderson, Mr. Clarke, &c., would
be completely hemmed in by it.
The witness, in cross-examination, admitted that the Oxford,
Worcester, and Wolverhampton Railway would not give the iron-
masters of Wolverhampton a direct communication with London, and
that it, as well as the Shrewsbury and Birmingham line, would cut
off a portion of Mr. Thorneycroft's works. If that gentleman were
a consenting party, the promotdrs of this line would be able to give
him access to his works, even if the line were made as proposed.
Mr. Thorneycroft was the chairman of the rival companies, and one
of the other petitioners against this project (Mr. Crane) was also
interested in them. The approach to Mr. Barnett's works might be
very much improved by the removal of the porter's lodge. The pre-
sent approaches to the other works already mentioned were not of
the best description ; they were private occupation roads. There
would be no slifilculty in giving access to every portion of Mr.
Thorneycroft's works by constructing arches on the embankment of
this line over a portion of his grounds.
Mr. E. Hamilton, civil engineer and architect of Wolverhamp-
ton, confirmed the evidence of Mr. Merritt, and stated that it was
impossible to calculate the injury which this line would in-
flict on the owners of the works in question. They could
not possibly procure such sites in Wolverhampton as their
works at present occupied. If they destroyed the means of
Importing and exporting heavy goods into these works, they at once
destroyed them. Mr. Crane and Mr. Hatherton would sufferdamage
to the extent of 30,000/. if the line in its present shape were sanc-
tioned. Mr. Henderson would suffer to the same extent. The works
were at present in a most convenient spot for carrying on business.
Cross-examined by Mr. WADDINGTON—The works are adjacent to
the canal, end the produce is generally carried by it. A direct com-
munication with London would be of great advantage to the manu-
facturers of Wolverhampton, if not encumbered with disadvantaBso,
which he feared this line presented.
Mr Barker, proprietor of the Chillington works, confirmed the
preceding witness's evidence, and admitted, in his cross-examination,
that he had been a director of the Oxford, Worcester, and Wolver-
hampton scheme, and was now a contractor for the rails.
The Committee having, in reply to Mr. Lang, stated that they
would take the Dudley line next, adjourned at four o'clock till twelve
on Monday next.

GROUP LS 111.
MIDLAND RAILWAY (PURCHASE OF
OAIIRADI CANAL).

This Committee met to-day at twelve o'clock, in room No. 8.
The greater part of the day was occupied in the consideration of the
clauses of the above Bill, the preamble of which was declared proved
a few days since.
The Committee adjourned until twelve o'clock to-morrow.

GROUP LXIV.
This Committee re-assembled to-day at eleven o'clock.

XILISH GREAT WESTERN (PORT/LAZING—
TODI -.11;t1 11.i41.JA lA/ IVY), cra%4l 111.1.1aJlaCiatir2ia 11111R.Z1111.:17
WESTERN (111IUMLINGAR TO ATHLONE).
Mr. Sergeant WasNonam (on behalf of the latter Bill)
resumed his arguments against the preamble of the former
Bill, contending that as it was not shown that the present pro-
moters of the scheme intended to carry the undertaking into execu-
tion, but to dispose of it to parties who were under •no covenant to
proceed with the work, it would be promoting a pernicious gambling
in Bills coming before the Legislature.
Mr. Sergeant Murphy replied.
The CHAIRMAN then required that the subscription agreement of
the Midland Great Western should be handed in. The portion of
the deed containing the Scotch signatures vt as then produced, but
the remaining portions were not forthcoming. Secondary evidence,
however, cf the existence of the document was then given.
The room was then cleared, and on our re-admission the Chairman
announced that the Committee had decided that the preamble of the
first Bill—namely, the Irish Greet Western Bill—was not proved,
hut that the preamble of the Mullingar to Athlone Bill was proved.
The Committee then adjourned till Monday.

RAILWAY SHARE MARKETS.
BRISTOL, JITNE 18.

STOCK EXCHANGE.—The sales are—Bristol and Exeter, New, 10—
Calsdoniau, 1 —Midland, New, 31%.
LIVERI.'OOL, JUNE 18.

NEW STOCK EXCHANGE.—The Share Market continues firm, and
a slight improvement Is manifest. The sales are—Birkenhead, Lan-
cashire, and Cheshire Junction, 11. Is. 6d. p.—Derby and Crewe, 31. 16s.
3d. p.—Eastern Counties, York Extensions, 18s. 6d. p.—Grand Junc-
tion. 224—Great Grimsby and Sheffield, Extension, 1% dis.—Hud-
derstield and Sheffield, 5 p. —Leicester and Bedford, Is. 6d. dis.—
Liverpool and Bury, 8 p.—Liverpool, Ormskirk, and Preston, 13s.
6d. p.—London and Birmingham, Quarter Shares, 27 p.—London
and Brighton, 65%—Manchester and Birmingham, 82—Ditto Quar-
ter Shares (B), 9;4 p. —Manchester and Southampton, % dis.—Mid -
land Stock, 401. Shares, 13% p.—North Staffordshire, 16s. 6d. p.—
North Union Stock (A), 209—North Western, par—Preston and
Wyre, Half Shares, New (B), 14 p.--Sheffield and Manchester Quarter
Shares, No. 2,1% p.—South-Eastern, New, Halt Shares, 4 p.—
West Riding Union, 2% p.— Caledonian, 3%—Dutch Rhenish, IA, p

MANCHESTER, JUNE 18.

STOCK Excnltioz.—The sales are--Boston, Stamford, and Bir-
mingham, it dls.—Chester and Manchester Direct, 245. 6d. dis.—
Clitheroe Junction, 225. dis. —Derby and Crewe, 4 p.—Eastern Coun-
ties, York Extension, 1 p.—Leicester and Bedford, 1-16 dis.— Liver-
pool, Ormskirk, and Preston, 13-16 p.—Manchester, Buxton, Mat-
lock, and Midland, It c p.—Manchester and Birmingham, Quarters
(B), 914 p.—Ditto, ditto (C), 8% p.—North Eastern, 1 11-16 dls.
—North Staffordshire, 3% p.—Preston and Wyre, Halves (B), p.
Sheffield and Lincolnshire Junction, par—South-Eastern and Dover,
Halves (No. 4), 4s. p.—South Midland, 74 dis.—Welsh Midland, 134
dis.—West Lancashire Coast, 34 dis.—West Riding Union, 2 3-16—
Dutch Rhenish, 1% p.