The Sun.
London, England, 1846-06-27 00:00:00

HOUSE OF COMMONS, June 26.

The SLEAKER took the Chair at Four o'clock, when there
was a rather full attendance of Members.
Mr. ESTCOURT moved that it be an instruction to the
Committee of Selection to refer the Mountmellick Junction
Railway Bill, and the Limerick, Ennis, and Killaloe Railway
Bill, being unopposed Bills, to the Chairman of Ways and
Means and Members to be added by the Committee of Se-
lection. Also, that the petitions of James Agnew, Esq., the
inhabitants of Antrim, and John Coates, against the Lame,
-Belfast, and Ballymena Railway Bill, be withdrawn.

Agoced to. -
GLASGOW, DUMFRIES, AND CARLISLE RAIL-
WAY.
On the motion for the third reading of this Bill,

Mr. HODGSON moved that the Bill be read a third time
that day six months.
A long conversation, which at times partook rather of a re-
criminatory nature, and in which Sir W. Clay, Sir De Lacy
Evans, Mr. Ewart, Mr. Curteis, and Mr. Dancombe took
part, then ensued.
The gallery was ordered to be cleared for a division. On
our return we found the numbers were—

For the third reading
Fcr the amendment ........ ... 47
Majority —73
Mr. LOCKHART protested against the decision as one
which would prevent a proper communication between England
and Scotland. All the merchants and bankers of Scotland
were in favour of the Caledonian Railway, which was granted
last session, and this decision was granting a competing
me contrary to all common sense, for it was well known
that there was not sufficient traffic for both lines,
and the result must be ruinous to both companies.
The cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh, the principal cities of
Scotland, and the people generally, with but few exceptions,
were in favour of the Caledonian line. The evidence of Mr
Brunel, which he would read an extract from, would show that
the country was not of such a character as to support two lines
of railway. ( The Hon. Member thenread an extract to the effect,
that the Caledonian line was the one best adapted for the wants
of the coun and that. it would not support a second line of
railway. )—Loud cries of " Divide, divide.") He would not
detain the House longer beyond saying that the decision the
House had come to would materially interfere with the success
of a great national undertaking.
The Bill was then read a third time and passed.
CORN IMPORTATION AND CUSTOMS DUTIES
BILLS.—ROYAL ASSENT.

Sir Augustus Clifford, Usher of the Black Rod, appeared at
the bar, and summoned the House to attend at the bar of the
House of Lords, to hear the royal assent given to a number of
public and private Bills (for which see Lords' report).
On the return:of the SPEAKER, Le stated that he had
been to the Upper House to hear the royal assent given to
several Acts, amongst which were the Corn Importation and
Customs Duties Bills.

The announcement was received with great cheering, in an
extremely crowded House.
Sir J. Graham, Lord Lincoln, the Chancellor of the Ex-
chequer, and all the other members of the Government, with
the exception of Sir Robert Peel, were present, as well as Lord
John Russell and the principal leaders of the Opposition, and
Mr. Cobden. _

Several Railway Bills were read a third time and passed.
CORNWALL RAILWAY.
Sir C. LEMON moved the third reading of the Cornwall
Railway ( Saltash Branch) Bill.
Mr. T. DUNCOMBE presented a petition against the
third reading of the Bill.
Captain PLUM RIDGE presented a petition to the same
effect.
Captain BERKELEY moved that the third reading of the
Bill should be postponed until certain papers should be placed
in the hands of the Members. The bridge which was erected
over the river Tamar would seriously interfere with the na-
vigation of the river. The railway company undertook, to
prevent expense, to provide a steam-tug of sufficient power to
take vessels through the arch. The Admiralty Board had
already sent a letter to the Chairman of the Committee,
stating that the bridge over the Tamar was to be
ninety-five feet high, but the next day that letter was
recalled. Fron the evidence adduced before the Com-
mittee it was stun n that it was absolutely necessary that
the bridge should be from 95 to 100 feet high, as in case of its
being of a less height all vessels passing would have to strike
their masts and take in their top-sails, and while they were
doing so they would lose half the tide. He should not move
against the third reading of the Bill, but he should move its ad-
journment for a week.
Sir C. LEMON objected to any such adjournment at the
present period of the session.
Captain VIVIAN would support the motion for the post-
ponement, in order to allow time for the tables to be laid before
the Committee. With regard to the line itself, he did
not consider it the most direct one for the county of Cornwall
that might be adopted. It was 13 miles round about from

London to its terminus; and by way of Exeter from
London it was 23 miles from the direct course.
It was utterly impossible any other line could pay between Fal-
mouth and Exeter. Then again, he could not understand why
Mr. Brunel stated that the gentlemen who gave evidence before

the Committee in favour of the line were interested parties, as
they were persons of high standing, and far removed from
suspicion. He hoped the House would consent to a week's
delay. _ _

Mr. CORRY said the Admiralty did not wish to prevent
the construction of works of necessary and public importance.
Lord NIORPETH, as Chairman of the Committee which
sat upon the Bill, had never heard of a more unnecessary and
uncalled-for interference with the progress of any private
measure than the present. It was a measure of considerable
importance, and one which he thought the Legislature ought to
pass into a law.—(Hear, hear.) At low water the height of
the bridge would be one hundred feet, and after the evidence
which had been placed before the House, he did not see that
they should stop the progress of Bill.
Mr. HUME considered that this was not a question which
. . . . -

ought to be decided on the principles which usually influenced
the House. The very circumstance of the letter having
been written from the Admiralty, without the sanction
of the board, was one which ought of itself alone to
stop the further progress of the Bill.—(Hear, hear.)
The question was not one as to the height of the bridge, but as
to the necessity for it at all. The Admiralty ought, in cases
where any interference with any navigation was proposed, to
ascertain whether a line could be formed which would obviate
the necessity for such an interference altogether. Such an al-
ternative line could be formed in this instance, and not only
that, but it would be 36 miles shorter, and would avoid the in-
terference of a break of gauge. He should suggest that the
postponement of the Bill should take place, for a time, or even
until next session, so as to obtain a better and a shorter line.
He was persuaded there ought to be no bridge at all. It was
the duty of the Admiralty to have inquired whether the same
communication could not be obtained without interfering with

a navigable river. A communication to Falmouth could be
had twenty-six miles nearer than the one proposed, without in-
terfering with the navigation. He regretted that the Ad-
miralty should in any instance depart from the principle of in-
terfering with navigable rivers. Let them reconcile the
decision in the present instance with that on the one on the
Runcron case if they could. He submitted to the Gallant
Admiral (Bowies) whether it would not be better to allow
another week for inquiring into the subject, and in order that
the Admiralty might reconsider the question.
Admiral BOWLES defended the conduct of the Admiralty
in reference to their present decision.
Sir CHARLES NAPIER was surprised at the arguments
_ _ .

of the Lords of the Admiralty on the subject, and considered
that as Mr. Walker, who was an old servant of the Admiralty,
had reported in favour of a bridge of a certain height, they
ought to allow the Company to make it. At any rate i.e
could not see any objection to delay the matter for a week.
Sir G. COCKBURN defended the decision of the Admi-

ratty, and read a letter from 11r. Walker, stating, that at lew
water the height of the bridge in the clear would be 95 feet,
and at high water 76 feet.
After alfew wordsfrom Admiral Du spa s and Lord MORFETII,

PENDARVES opposed the motion.
After a few words from Sir G. Cockburn, Admiral Dundas,
Captain Berkeley, Mr. Pendarves, Mr. Trelawney, Captain
Plumridge, and Mr. Buller,
The House divided, when there appeared—
For the third reading
For the Amendment lB
Majority —l7s
The Bill was accordingly read a third time and passed.
LORDS' AMENDMENTS.

The Lords amendments to the following Bills were read and
agreed to, viz.:—
Alford Valley Railway.
Dundee and Arbroath Railway Extensions.

Dundee and Perth Railway Amendment.
Edinburgh and Northern Railway (Newport Railway and SI

. .
Andrew's Branch).
Great North of Scotland (Eastern Extension).
SHEFFIELD GENERAL CEMETERY BILL.
This Bill was read a third time and passed.
NORTH WALES ➢IINERAL RAILWAY BILL.
This Bill was also read a third time and passed.
DE WINTON'S ESTATE BILL.

Mr. BAILEY moved that the Committee on De Winton's
Estate Bill have leave to sit on Monday next, at two o'clock ;
and that the said Bill be committed to Mr. Bailey, Mr.
Gibson Craig, and Mr. Eliott Lockhart.—The motion was
agreed to.

EASTERN COUNTIES RAILWAY- STATIONS EN-
LARGEMENT BILL.
This Bill was read a third time and passed.
The following Bills were also read a third time and
passed:—
London and Birmingham Railway (Aylesbury Railway Pur-
chase).
London and Birmingham Railway (Coventry to Nuneaton).
London and Birmingham Grand Junction and Manchester and
Birmingham Railways Amalgamation.
London and Birmingham Railway ( Weedon and No: thampton).
MIDLAND AND EASTERN COUNTIES RAILWAY

BILL.

This Bill was also read a third time and passed.
MESSAGE FROM THE LORDS.

Messengers from the Lords announced that their Lordships
had agreed to several Railway Bills (for which see Lords-
report).

THE HALIFAX MAILS.

Mr. MILNER GIBSON said the Hon. Member for
Bristol had obtained an order for the production of some
papers relative to the contract with Messrs. Cunard, for car-
rying the mails to the United States. He wished to know
when those papers would be laid upon the table. He would
also take the opportunity of asking whether the contract now
proposed to be entered into for the weekly conveyance of the
mail would be open to public competion ? Memorials to the
Government on the subject had been forwarded from the City
of London, Liverpool, Manchester, Bristol, and other large
towns, all praying that the contract should be open to the pub-
lic. He would ask the Government to delay the inquiry of the
contract till, at the least, the papers to which he had referred
were produced. He thought the contract should be left open
to public competition.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said the
tapars were not yet in a fit state to be placed on the table,
A they would be produced in a short time. With regard to
the eektt,
original couthetnew arrangement was but a continuation of the
entered into, it
li
tAt the time the original contract was
Cunard were the
aularties that were in a fit condition to
The Government
as accordingly made with them.
of the advantage
carry it out, and thoTe thrown open to the public, and the Messrs.
was accordingly
to deprive the public
ehfa d e
o n
mo
p dez
übiect rdorwpea such and other Hon.
contra o n
to public competiSUGA pe
After a few observations from Mr. Rum_
Members, on the
tionthes
advantage of th in
R DUTIESov BILL.
The Report of the Commtttee on this Bill was brought up
and received, the Bill was ordered to be read a third time
on Monday next.
ADJOURN.%'ENT OF THE HOUSE.
of the x._
On the motion
House, at its rising, do
it
CHEQUER,was agreed that the
adjourn till Monday next. BILL.
ROMAN CATHOLIC RELIEF
Mr. ESCOTT asked the Right Hon. Baronet the Secre-
taryh
ex-
of State for the Home Department, at the
pected the Bill for the relief of Roman Catholics from
House of Lords ?
Sir JAMES GRAHAM replied that it had been fixed for
a third reading, but he could not say on what day it would be
introduced into the House of Commons. There was no doubt,
however, that it would be introduced there in a few days.
FRIENDLY SOCIETIES BILL.
The orders of the day for the consideration of the Lords'
Amendments on this Bill having been read,
Sir JAMES GRAHAM explained the nature of the amend-
ments, which were eventually agreed to.
MESSAGE FROM THE LORDS.
Messengers from the 'Lords brought up the following Bills,
which their Lordships hail. agreed to :—London and South-
Western Railway( Itampt6o . t Branch)Bill; Midland Rail.
ways (Clay Cross toNt Midland Railway (Erewash
Valley Branches) Bill, s t,, wn, Morningside, and Colt-
nes Railway (Caledosa -eh) Bill ; Wilsontown, Mor-
ningside, and Coltness Railway (Batbgate Branch) Bill; Stir-
lingshire Midland Junction 'Railway Bill ; Glasgow, Kilmar-
nock, and 4rdrossan Railway Bill ; Deeside Railway Bill;
Yeovil Markets and Fairs Bill, with Amendments; Midland

Railways (Nottingham and Mansfield Branch) Bill ; London
and Birmingham Railway (Camden and Euston Stations
Enlargement) Bill ; Scottish Central Railway (Alloa Branch)
Bill; Bristol and Exeter Railway (Crewkerne Branch) Bill,
with an Amendment.
PLACES OF WORSHIP, SITES (SCOTLAND)