The Sun.
London, England, 1846-03-26 00:00:00

not permitted by the standing orders. As it was, there-
fore he could not hope to have the Bill passed for the present
session. He said he had proved by the esidence brought before the
Committee that four-fifths of the landed property were represented
by gentlemen in favour of the line, and that the popular feeling in
both towns was strong in favour of the same line. Considering,
therefore, this strong feeling, and that the obstruction which had
unexpectedly occurred was a mere technical did:culty, to witch
any man of science was open, he thought there was still
the question before the Committee, the alternative whe-
ther they would adopt the one line or the other ; for, al-
though lie was not in a position to construct his line, yet he
would ask the Committee to reject the other line, that both lines
might meet paid passu on a fair field, and at another time. The
Learned Gentleman then adverted to the character of the evidence
given on the other side, and concluded with hoping that the Com-
mittee, considering the connexion with London by Guildfor t, which
would, no doubt, be mule a direct route, connecting the towns in the
west with the metropolis, who w..re urgent to be accommodated with
locomotion, but which would be denied them if the other line were
granted them—that the Committee would decide that the other Bill
shotstd not be passed.
The CUAIEJIAN intimated that the Southampton branch roust at
lest be granted.
Nr. Rows add! eased the Committee against the Brighton Com-
pany's branch, on behalf of the Duke of Richmond, Lord George
Lennox, and the landowners, and called,

Mr. Stapely, who said that the pasture land passed through by the
rail from %Voodgate would be Injured by the lying water, which
could not get off. The gardens of Lord George Lennox
were sometimes flooded by the sea where the railway
passed, which would of course choke up the drainage,
Mrs. Smith's residence would be seriously Interfered with,
by the station at Bognor. It was not a country villa but a inar.sion,
which could accommodate 500 at a time; and the Duke of Cam-
bridge and the nobility frequently visit, d there. The view of the
mansion to the sea would be interfered with. The place eontainp-
lated for a station was brook land, which lay under tho sea every
winter.

Examined by Mr. NEALE (for Mr. Clark, a proprietor near Bognor)
—The flooding on the field numtered 32 was twice as deep as 12 feet.
A dock, as proposed by Mr. Clark, and a sea-wall, would be a great
advantage to Bogner.
The CHAIRMAN intimated here that the Committee were of opinion
that they could not allow the Company to stop short oa Mr. Clark's
land of the station laid down on the sections without Mr. Clark's
consent, am!, therefore, the counsel's attention would be confined to
the terminus in Bognor.

The Committee pressed that the case of Mr. Clark might be settled
by arbitration, but the counsel refused ary compromise, and pro-
ceeded to call evidence to show the value of the land in question for
building on.
Mr. Galloway said he made surveys In last September at Mr.
Clark's request preparatory to a dock being constructed. He ad-
vised the projected line of railway to terminate on different property
from Mr. Clark's. Plans were prepared for the docks with a view to
going to Parliament.
Mr. Brown, solicitor, said lie got up the company for the railway
projected by Mr. Clark, previous to the publishing of the prospectus
Mr. East ick agreed to become engineer, and his name was published
accordingly in the prospectus. He laid the thing before the krighton
board, and they were pleased with his report. Afterwards, on call-
ing at Mr. Rastrick's for the plans which had been sent up, Mr. Ras-
trick said the Brighton Company had elected to make the line them-
selves. He called to see the Brighton board, but did not get
admission-200 . expenses had been incurred.
Mr. Baker, Parliamentary agentZwas examined as to the line pro-
jected by Mr. Clark. His expenses amounted to 30C/., of which he
had recovered nothing.

The CHAIRMAN here took the liberty of suggesting that, as far as
it appeared to the Committee on evidence, tha Brighton Company
ought to see Mr. Baker and Mr. Brown as to compensation for their
professional expenses.
Mr. HILL said the Brighton directors were interested in the state-
ments made in evidence, for they were prepared to deny them if the
Committee thought it necessary ; but as men of honour, and as hav-
ing generosity, they were prepared to submit to the arbitration of a
gentleman on the subject. Mr. 11111 suggested that one of the Com-
mittee might act in the case.
Mr. nINDLRY c,nsented to arbitrate as to the compensation proper
to I.e allowed to the two gentlemen. .

Mr. NEALE, having examined Mr. Terrell, rose to address the
Committee, when
The CHAIRMAN reminded him that the Committee could not award
compensation, and suggested that it was unnecessary to address
them, for their mind was that the Bill ought to be reported, proved,
and passed.
Mr. NEALE felt it to be his duty to his client to address the Com-
mittee, and proceeded to do so, asking them not to pass the Bill
without a clause prohibiting the railway from going through Mr.
Clark's land without his consent, and instanced the case of Mr. God-
son, M.P., who had got a similar clause in similar circumstances.
The Committee then decided that the preamble of the Bill for the
London and Brighton (Bognor and Littlehampton branches) was
proved.
The several clauses of the Bill were read and passed.
Mr. NEALE moved the insertion of a clause prohibiting the Com-
pany from entering on Mr. Clark's land without his consent.
The Committee decided against the clause.

GROUP XVI.
EPSOM. ZRANCIL

The Committee assembled at twelve o'clock; Sir Charles Douglas
In the chair, when
Mr. Hore, on behalf of the South-Western Company, opened the
proceedings by stating that they was already a line to Epsom from
Croydon, the proprietors of which lire appeared as petitioners against
this Bill. He thought that they had no locus standi in this case, fur it
had been decided by Mr. O'Connell, who was Chairman of the
Brighton Group, that the principle of objection must arise from com-
peting parties, and not from established companies. The same prin-
ciple had been observed in the London and York Committee last
year, and that, therefore, was evidently the recognised usage of the
House. The Croydon and Epsom line had been purchased by the
London and Croydon Company, and at the present moment this
Company was under agreement to amalgamate with the London and
Brighton Company. Now there was an actual understanding with
the Brighton Company and the South-Western Company, that the
latter should make a line to Epsom.
Mr. AUSTIN said that his Learned Friend had stated his case with
singular brevity, but, as sometimes happened, illud obscurus fie, he
had been rather too strong. The fact was that the London and
Croy don and the Croydon and Epsom Companies had acted ender
the Bill by which the latter parties obtained their powers, so that the
truth was the line to Epsom was not made, mei the petitioners were
not an established company. What would the Committee think of
any parties opposed to a new line between London and Birmingham
requiring that the present proprietors of the communication between
these two places should not be heard. In the case of the Brighton
line, to which his Learned Friend had alluded, the facts were that in
1844 the Brighton Company obtained their Bill to make a lice to
Hastings, and in 1845 the South-Eastern Company had brought in a
Bill for making a branch to the same place, and the Brighton Com-
pany had been allowed to be heard as competing parties.
At this point the room was cleared ; and, on the parties being ad-
mitted, the Chairman decided that the opposition might be offered.
Mr. Hope then opened the case for the promoters, by stating that
the branch would be five or six miles in length, beginning about the
fifth milestone on the main line, enabling the public to traverse the
whole distance to ',widen, at the Waterloo-bridge station, in thirty-
five minutes. The population of Epsom was about 4,000, and
to show how much communication was needed, he might
state that at the present time there were as many as thirteen
trains to and from Guildford. Beside, however, the usual
traffic, there was a great addition at the time of the races, when
every one knew the influx of passengers into London was greatly
increased, for which a west-end :terminus was required. He might
observe also, that-in this districtthere were as many as 20,000 tons of
coal annually carried, which would have a great convenience in their
delivery at the Nine Elms-wharf. He' might further observe, that
the London and Birmingham Company and the,Great Western Com-
pany had become proprietors of the Thames Junction Railway, by
which the hardware goods of the iron districts would be conveyed
at once to the backs of the Thames, and being ferried across, could be
at once conveyed southward. On the other hand, the lime about Dorking
and Maldon (where it was intended to have an agricultural station)
would have facilities of transport to the counties on the right bank
of the river. Ale and pottery, also, of which there was a large pro-
duction at Ewell, would obtain that accommodation which was needed
for their transport to the central and western parts of the metropolis.
He would, through the witnesses, show these and the other advan-
tages which the line would give to the public. In 1844, a project had
been devised by this Compony, on which, however, this would be an
improvement. The Learned Gentlemen then cited the report of the
Committee on the Portsmouth Group of last year, to show
the opinion of Mr. R. Stephenson as to the inadvisability of
the atmospheric principle of traction as a commercial speculation.
Certainly the feelings of the people of Epsom were directly In favour
of the South-Western Company. And, acting on the declaration of
those feelings, had induced the Company to• bring in a Bill last ses-
sion, and which had only failed on the standing orders. This Com-
pany proposed to bring the public to the centre of London, a dis-
tance of 12 or 14 miles ; whereas the opposing parties could only
bring the passengers to London-bridge.
The CHAIRMAN suggested that the Atmospheric Company could
carry to the Bricklayers' Arias station.
Mr. HorE had put the London-bridge station as being the
best, from abutting on the river. The distance to that station was
19 miles ; but in the event of the South-Western Company getting
their Bill for an extension to London-bridge, the distance to that
spot would be only 15% miles, 13% to Waterloo-bridge, and 12% to
Nine Elms ; so that in distance, in convenience of access to the
wharfs upon the river, and in fachity of communication with the
north, this line was in every way superior to the competing project.
Further, such was the feeling of the inhabitants, that the South-
Western Company would, if they f died this year, be compelled to
come again, until their Act was obtained. The Learned Gentle-
man then entered upon a comparison between the relative value of
the Epsom Branch to the London and Epsom Company,
and stated, that in consequence of the reduction of the fares the
number of passengers on the South-Western Company had increased
by 35 per cent., although the returns had improved only by 8 per
cent. He would not, however, argue the question of competition,
because it was in fact here a very small matter, but the fact was,
that, although the people were inclosed 'in a smaller space,
yet, London was in population, necessity for accommodation,
habit, and pursuits, equal to the county of Warwick, and the
consideration of carriage us to distance became therefore a very dif-
ferent matter to what the same distance was in the country. On
these grounds, therefore, Le believed the Committee would pass the
preamble of this Bill.
Mr. H. Goss, the first witness, a magistrate at Epsom, who had
given evidence in favour of the South-Western Company in 1844,
and was still of the same opinion, believed that the means of access
to the west-end of London offered by this Company.was in every
way advantageous to Epsom, and the neighbourhood on the south
and west of that town. The rejection of the South-Western Bill
was badly received in 1844, and the feelings of the inhabitants now
were much stronger in favour of the branch now proposed. Petitions
had been presented in favour of it from Epsom and Ewell—that from
the former place having originated in the largest and most respect-
able meeting that had ever been held In that town for the promotion
of the local interests of the place, the Baron Deteste, chairman of
the bench cf magistratet, in the chair.
In his cross-examination Mr. Coss replied, that on the opening
of the meeting the Chairman had intimated that the meeting was ex-
pressly called for those who were favourable to the bianch of the
South-Western Company, and that discussion of the merits would be
deprecated. No other meeting had been called, and the reason he
believed why this discussion had been avoided was, because it might
have occasioned unpleasantness, but could be productive of no good.
The meeting was attended by from fifty to slaty persons, several of
whom were not Epsom people. He hadnot heard that a petitiott had
been presented, signed by upwards of 200 individuals; but he be-
lieved that the inhabitants generally were favourable to the South
Western project. The traffic he presumed had Increased since 1844,
as the tolls bad been let fur IEOI. more last year than in the year
before; but he could not say whether the intercourse with
London would support two lines. Two coaches had
certainly been taken off the road, but there was one which
instead of coming to London, was employed in running between
Epsom and the Kingston station on the South-Western Line, and he
conceived that the formation of the Chichester and Brighton branch
would take off much of the usual Epsom traffic to Arundel, Worthing,
and other places in that direction. Of the traffic to the West-end he
knew nothing; nor could he say what WaS the population of the dis-
trict through which the branch was to pass.
To Mr. ELLIOTT (who appeared for the South-Western Company)
Mr. Goss replied that lie knew nothing of the petition presented on
behalf of the South-Western Company, but he believed that the im-
pression of the inhabitants of Epsom was decidedly In favour of the
Waterloo-bridge terminus.
To the CHAIRMAN, the witness said, that for the public the two
lines would be better than one from Epsom.
Captain Montrain, a magistrate at Ewell, testified to the same
effect, and especially spoke to the advantage to be derived to the
poor in the reduction in the price of coal by the formation of this
line. lie also corroborated Mr. Goss's evidence as to the respect-
ability of the petitioners in favour of the South-Western branch.
Mr. Palmer, M.P., gave similar testimony, expressing a great in-
disposition to use the atmospheric system, and said that he had
never seen an atmospheric carriage in action. It was his impression
that the branch would open a considerable business with Kingston,
and that part of the country.
Sir Thomas Weeding, a magistrate, residing at Malden, thought
this branch would be of service in bringing lime from Ashden for the
farmers, a manure of which the ground was much in need. lie con-
firmed the evidence of the previous witnesses as to the probable ad-
vantages of the line to the country, amid the feelings of the inhabitants
respecting it. Malden Is about a mile at present from the mainline of
the South-Western Ralway, but the branch was proposed to run
through Malden, and would pass through one of his farms for three-
quarters of a mile. The parish Stomprised about 1,250 acres, and
this branch was necessary to enable the farmers to keep their heads
above water. He made a personal sacrifice to get the railway, be-
cause he believed it would be for the advantage of his neighbours
generally.
Mr. F. Garner, who holds Coomb Farm, which comprised 700
acres, under the Duke of Cambridge, expressed a belief that as many
as 15,000 acres would he benefited by the railway. He hanself used
about GOO tons a year. Now it required a whole day to fetch
a waggon load of chalk, and it cost about 101. an acre to dress the
land with chalk. If the railway. were made they would he able to
have four loads a day instead of one, and the expense of carriage
world not be more than one-fourth of what it is at present. If he
could, however, obtain it in this way he would use at least 1,200 tens
In a year.
To Mr. ALEXANDER'S cress-examination the witness replied that
he did not expect to derive this advantage until the railway was
made as far as Ashden ; and on reexamination by Mr. Hope, he
stated that If the ihne was put on the rail 'at Epsom he would get
all the advantages which he anticipated. There were,'"however,
hits at Epsom itself, about half a mile from the proposed
railway.
The
Committee then neljournel till twelve O'clock to-morrow.