The Sun.
London, England, 1846-04-03 00:00:00

GLASGOW AND_ WEST or SCOTLAND

DISTRICT.

The Committee re-assembled this morning at twelve o'clock
Present, Mr. V. Smith (chairman), Mr. Langston, Hon. W. Fitz-
maurice, Mr. T. D'Eyncourt, and Mr. W. Bernina*.

.A.Y71.138151Z, BRIDGE or VirDIN, AND ZIL

117RCSAN TIINCTION.

The whole morning was passed in reading and agreeing to the
clauses of this Bill, which were unopposed.

GLASGOW, PAISLEY, AND GRZENOCN
(NARBOUN 33NANCS)7 _ ..

This was an unopposed Bill, promoted by the Glasgow, Paisley,
and Greenock Company, for the purpose or getting powers to con-
struct a branch line to a point on the river Clyde called Cartidyke,
and also for the formation of a harbour there. The length of the
line was a quarter of a mile. The capital 25,0001. There being only
one line of rails to the harbour of Greenock at present, any consider-
able traffic In minerals would be apt to disarrange the general goods'
trade, and therefore it was that they sought to get powers by this
Bill for the construction of the branch and harbour. The preamble
was declared proved, the clauses were agreed to, and the Bill was
ordered to be reported.
The Committee, in consequence of the other Bills in the group not
being sufficiently forward, adjourned till Wednesday, the 29th April.

GROUP ILL.
The Committee re-assembled this morning at the usual hour. Pre-
sent, Lord Harry Vane (chairman), the Earl of March, the lion.
Francis Scott, Mr. David Morris, and Mr. Philip Bennett.
The consideration of the proposed line of the
BRIDGNWATER AND DZINENDAD RAIL-
WAY AND PIZ&
•

was proceeded with, by Mr. Sergeant MUSPIIT calling the engineer-
ing witnesses in support of the promoters of this scheme.
Mr. George Ilennett, a civil engineer—Has been connected with
the formation and construction of railroads since their first introduc-
tion into this country. He produced his plans and specifications for
the construction of this line. Considered this route the best and
most eligible that could be se'ected. His estimate for carrying into
operation the projected scheme was 420,0001. ; th• erection of the
pier he included in that estimate.

GROUP XXI.
LONDON AND OXFORD.

The Committee met this morning at the usual hour; present, Mr.
Finch (chairman), Mr. Lawson, Lord A. Hervey, and Mr. Wode•
house.

Mr. CALVERT put in a copy of the original Parliamentary contract
deed, in which there was a clause giving the directors of the Com-
pany power to make either the whole of the line from London to
Oxford, and through Tewksbury, Cheltenham, and other towns to
Mereford,"or to alter or abandon the whole line, or to construct only a
portion of it.
Mr. WILLS said the Great Western Company would contend, and
endeavour to prove, that the promoters had exceeded the powers
vested in them by the shareholders.
Some discussion then ensued respecting the Oxford and Worcester
Railway, which it may be recollected was passed to be constructed
en the broad gauge.
The CHAIRMAN considered that it was important to know whether
they expected to derive any traffic from this line or not, as in the
event of its being constructed on the broad gauge, this line would
be unable to obtain any traffic from It except with great expense and
difficulty.
ldr. CALVERT drew the attention of the Committee to the re-
commendation of the Gauge Commission—that all lines to be
made, or In the course of construction, should be constructed on the
narrow gauge, and that it was possible the Government might adopt
these recommendations, and compel the promoters of the Oxford and
Worcester, which was being made, to be laid down on the nar-
row gauge.
Mr. Lawaox, a member of the Committee, thought that the powers
which had been invested in the directors was too great and general,
and that he, for one, would not have signed a contract deed for a
line from London to Hereford, and thus take upon himself the respon-
sibility of paying his share of the necessary capital, 2,000,0001., which
was afterwards to be abandoned for a line to Oxford only. Ho
should like to hear the point argued, as he considered it a most im-
portant one.
Mr. CALVERT said it would be argued, on behalf of the promoters,
by Mr. Hildyard, and en behalf of the Great Western by Mr. Talbot.
Mr. C. H. Gregory, civil engineer, corroborated the evidence
given by Mr. Rastrick yesterday with respect to the line.
He considered that it was well laid out, that the gradients
were of a ♦ery fair character, and that the estimates were quite
sufficient for its construction. He went over the whole of the
line with Mr. Addison, and spent two days in his investigation. He
had formerly been connected with the Croydon Railway. Heavy
trains on that line had an auistant engine whilst passing np the
incline, et 1 in 100 ; but the ordinary trains, of 13 carriages, re-
quired no assisting power. The same speed could be obtained on this
line without the slightest difficulty.