The Sun.
London, England, 1846-05-21 00:00:00

GROUP LIV.

This Committee re-assembled to-day at the usual hour; present
Mr. Bannerman (chairman) and the other members.
MIDLAND, BURTON-ON-TRENT TO
NUNEATON, AND BRANCH.

The CIIAIRMAN said he wished to call the attention of the counsel
for the petitioners against the Bill to a eertain regulation that had
been agreed to by Committees, namely, that counsel should set forth
some of the general grounds on which they objected to the Bill. The
Committee, however, would not on all occasions adhere too rigidly
to this regulation.
The evidence for the Bill was then resumed.

Mr. J. Steene, examined by Mr. Macaux,nr —Was a corn and coal
dealer In Oxford, where he had resided for thirty years. From 50,000
to 00,000 tons of coal were consumed annually in Oxford, of which
30,000 tons came from the Moira collieries. They suffered consider-
ably in Oxford from the canal by which the coal was at present
conveyed. For one ton of Bedford coal there were 200 tons
of Moira coal consumed in Oxford. The cost of bringing coal from
Moi•a to Oxford was at present 13d. per hundred ; but by the pro-
posed railway there would, according to the calculation that had
been made, be a saving of 15,0001. annually. The railway would be
desirable for Abingdon and several other towns, where Moira coal
was consumed in large quantities. There was no doubt that the pro-
posed railway would be of the greatest advantage to Oxford.
Mr. J. Nadon, of Stapenhill, examined —The proposed railway
would be very desirable to his neighbourhood, as regarded the coal-
pits there. A large trade was carried on in the neighbourhood of the
railway in clay for earthenware, and a species of fine clay, which was
sent to Sheffield for the purpose of making crucibles. It would be
very desirable to have the southern communication which this rail-
way would afford.
Cross-examined—The proposed railway would be very beneficial to
Lord Hastings' property and the coal pits on the same side. The
principal traffic to the south upon which they relied must go to
Rugby.

Mr. Thomas Gray examined—Was an earthenware manufacturer
at Greasley. There were three manufactories there for a
coarser kind of ware. There were also eighteen manu•
factories for yellow ware, which article was used chiefly
by the poorer classes. The trade in both articles
might be considerably increased. Their ware was sent to Canada,
and there were strong expectations that a trade in the same would
be opened with France. There was a trade in clay for bricks carried
on there also to the extent of 150 tons a week.

Mr. W. W. Abney, of Masham-hall, was examined as to the gene-
ral benefits of this line, which he stated would be very advantageous
to his neighbourhood.

WISBEACH, ST. IVES, AND CAM

BRIDGE JUNCTION RAILWAY.

A meeting of the holders of scrip and shares in this scheme
was held yesterday, in the Sussex Hotel, Bouverie- street,
Fleet-street, for the purpose, agreeably to the recent reso-
lutions of the House of Commons, of receiving a copy of
the Bill, and to decide as to whether they should approve
of and authorise its further progress through Parliament
or not. The chair was taken shortly before two o'clock by
Mr. J. Fryer.
The CHAIRMAN explained the object of the meeting, and
observed that the capital of the Company was 475,3601.,
issued in 23,768 shares, a third of which—namely, 7,922,
must be represented at the present meeting, in order to
authorise the further prosecution of the project. He was
happy to state that the number of shares represented on the
present occasion amounted to not only one-third, but to no
less than 17,959 shares in approval of the Bill.
The Solicitor then read the draft of the Bill, and
The SECRETARY announced the present state of the
finances of the Company to be as follows :—The receipts by
deposits on shares, 47,0001., of which there were deposited
with the Accountant-General 30,3001.; while in the hands of
the Company's bankers there remained, after payment of
expenses, 6,933L—(Hear, hear.)
A resolution, approving of the Bill, and authorising the
directors to proceed with it through Parliammt, was then
put and agreed to.
A vote of thanks was passed to the Chairman, who ac-
knowledged the compliment, and the meeting separated.