The Sun.
London, England, 1846-03-31 00:00:00

GROUP IX.

The Committee met to-day at twelve, Lord Worsley in the chair
all the members of the Committee were present.

WEST OF SCOTLAND 317NCTION.

Mr Brunel, not being obtainable this morning by the promoters of
the Bill, Mr. Ilawkshaw, the engineer of the Manchester and Leeds
Railway, was called to give evidence in his stead.
Mr. Ilawkshaw said he had had considerable experience in the con-
struction of railways. He had examined the plans of the present
scheme, as first laid down, and he was of opinion, with due precaution,
it could be worked safely. Th, junction in the opening of the tunnel was
not more objectionable than many that took place in deep cuttings.
hero was a gradient on the Manchester and Leeds line at Manches-
ter terminating in the Victoria station, of one in 49, yet they run
100 trains a-day there without any aecident having occurred. This
inclined plane terminated at a bridge at which the trains diverged off
on to another line of rails, with no view in front, and yet it was
worked with perfect safety. By laying down an additional line of
rails the possibility of danger would be still further reduced. All
things considered, he thought the present scheme might be worked
without any danger.
The cross-examination of the witness did not elicit any point dif-
ferent from the evidence in chief.
Mr. Cubitt, civil engineer, was next called, and examined for the
opposition. He had examined the plans and sections, and considered
that the scheme presented a combination of circumstances that
ought to be avoided, and such as could not be worked without con-
siderable danger. He thought the third line of rails proposed an
objection instead of an advantage, and in this respect he differed
with Mr. Robert Stephenson.

GROUP XIV.
BOUTS-EASTERN.

The Commit' ee on this line met to-day at itwelve o'clock. Present,
Mr. Protheroe (chairman), Lord Emlyn, Mr. J. O'Connell, General
Lygon, and Mr. Grogan.
Mr. J. O'Cortt4ELL said that before commencing the business of the
day he wished to say a few words with reference to an exceedingly
Improper letter that he had received. He should have taken notice
of the letter yesterday afternoon, as it reached his residence then, but
owing to the pressure of business he did not receive his letters until
eight o'clock in the evening. The letter was from a landowner on
the line, and complained of the great injury that would be done to
his property by the line. He should not then mention the name of
the party who wrote the letter, but he would hand it to the
chairman, for the consideration of the Committee at a future period,
with reference to the steps that should be taken upon it. Ho should
only state that it was not written to him by any of the parties who
had come before the Committee to make objections to the line. What
was stated in the Committee in' a public manner would become known
elsewhere by means of the press, and he hoped that his statement
would have the effect of deterring others from so improper a pro-
ceeding.
The letter was then handed to the chairman.
Mr. MERREWETHEE said that he was sure that the statement of the
Hon. Member, which informed them that the writer of the letter was
not one of the parties who had appeared before the Committee—he
was sure that all his brother counsel would join him in reprobating
such a proceeding.