The Sun.
London, England, 1846-06-26 00:00:00

JUNE 26, 1846,

PRICE SD.

GROUP XLVIII.
THE LUSCATITX YAM I, EY.
The Committee met this morning at twelve o'clock, 31r. Aldam
chairman. •
The opposition baying closed.
Mr. liIILLItts replied on behalf of :he promoters.

OW)UP
This Committee resumed •their labours this morning at the cus-
tomary hour hi Room 26 (Grand Corridor); present, the lion. E.
Lascelles (in the chair), the Earl of Arundel and Surrey, Mr. Mild-
yard, Captain Dalrymple, awl Mr. It. Clayton.
nZaIICINGIII9.I% WOLVERHAMPTON, AND
DUMMY.
Before the evidence was resumed in favour of this line, in answer
to the lion. Chairman, who desired to be informed of the nature of

the Bills comprised at this group, •
Mr. itteasens stated that the South Staffordshire Junction (Wll-
- and Ilioxenball Branch) had been withdrawn; the Trent
Valley, Midlands, and Grand Junction was rider arrangement, and
no one 'mended to appear on behalf of the South Staffordshire
Jiriction.
Chad's Shaw, Eeq., magistrate of Birmingham, stated that for
the last forty years he had been extensive ,y eneaged as a merchant,
factor, and manurecterter, In•-the towns•of Wolverhampton-and !Sir-
up/omin, and he had long felt the necessity which exists d some
railway communication for that eietri 1. in the year leas he had
devised such a line us the present, and when the prospec.us of this
company was published he hninediately bee ime a shareht liter. tor the
purpose of forwarding the scheme. He referred this line principallY
because it would afford accommodation to many important towns
which were left entirely unaccorminetated by its rival lines. It was
decidedly of the utmost importance to the public that the line which
should be formed in the district in question should be an entirely
in-
dependent line. This line would possess this advantage ' • its firsts
n
would not. The witness Da gave a history of the ori gin of the
competing schemes. This sch. me was unardmously approeni of
at
a large mectii.g of the rrincipal ironniasters or Birmingham. Lord
Dartmouth and himself were directors of this line. It would be in-
dependent of the London and Birmieghane and supposing the
°Mord, Worcester, and Wolverhampton line were opened, ;at
would afford a direct communication with London. on
these grounds, amongst others, he decidedly preferred it to its
rivals. He then gave his reasons for preterrieg tne station at Snow-
hill to that proposed to be erected at New-street by the shrewsbury
and Birmingham Company. Snow•hill (whic• Was in the widest
part twenty yards) was the widest then ughfare in Birmingham,
and the otttlete to it were much wider han in any other part of the
town. Passeeg.tra arriving from Wolverhampton also arrived by
Snow-h 11. Within a quarter of a mil.: rite•ius of Snow-hill there
were 556 buyers of goods arriving from Wolverhainpton, whilst
within the same distance of the New-street static,' there were out, 76.
To the lion_ CHAIRMAN —1 proposed Newhall-area as a proper
site for a eta ion tor icy project of 1835. I sh,,uld t eve prenotesi
Snow-1111, but the capital required tor the purchase of sufficient pro-
perty there was so great, that I dare not ask tor it.
Examination resumed—The propose:l station of the Shrewsbury
and Birmingham. at Wolverl amhton, would he aim st useless to the
town. A low level would be much preferable there titan a high one,
oeeatise the goods expor.ed were of the heaviest description. The
people of Wolverhampton were decidedly in fgt.-our of this line, anti a
vast majority of the influenti..l inhabitants of Birmingham were in
favour of the Snow-hill station They were in favour of the New-
ett and the Snow-hill stations, but it one only were to be granted
'they would decidedly prefer the Snow-hill station.
Cross-examined by Mr. Iticesens.—lle had some property in the
neighbourhood of Snowitill, but it was not of much importance to
him. A portion of it would be required by this line for the erection
of a station, and he it ouhi not have the slightest objection to part
with it. When he said he preferred this line because it was an in-
dependent one, he meant that it would be independent of any exist-
ing line betwttn Birmingham and London.• The Great Wester'. had
150,000/. invested in this company, and the Crxford, Worcester, and
Wolverhampton (wilieh had a large pecuniary in crest in this line).
would be leased to the Great Western Company. Those two corn-
patties between them posstssed shares to the anteunt uf a quarter of a
million in this company. The word " independent " for the district
under the cons-deratien of the Committee meant. act ordieg to his
notions, no connexion with the London and Birming-
ham Company, whit will •h he had no sympathy,, be-

cause they had raised their fares. He himself was
connected with the London and Birmingham before their Bill was
obtained. Th re were some parts of the district that would be better
accommodated by the shre.vsbo.ry and Birmingham than the Bir-
mingham, Wolverhampton, and Dudley line. The Shrewsbury and
Birmingham line would pass shrouAlt Darlaston, but, in his (-pinion,

it was not a town of very great importance. The station of the
Birmingham, Wulver ampton. and Dudley line would be aaeut a
mile distant lions Darla:dun. The distance between the snow-
bill and New-street stations was certainly in .re than three
furlongs, it was at least half a mile. To a traveller the cis.
tam* would be undoubtedly more than 200 yerds. The station
which he proposed ten
..1 ears agmStor hi- project. was nearer to the Nee -
street station than the Snow-hill, but that wat: by no means a final
station. The reason why be fixed on it was, because the site was
then uncovered and very central; that was to say. within a mile of
the centre of the town, whilst the Sflowhill-station would be within
a yard of the centre. The station at the Crescent might be larger
than its rival, ia the proportion of five to three. but it would be
comparatively useless, notwithstanding. The end of New-street,
next to Biel' street, was the most dangerous spot in Birminghem ;
tsv m policemen were, in fact, obligee to be kept there, for the protec-
c out of life ann property passing along there. There are a good
many pickpockets at that point.
Re•examined by Mr. liouresos—This line ran parallel with and
very near to the present road between etruileghain and Wolverhansp
ton. 'The London and Itirnaineham line was the worst matmaeed in
the kingdom. He considered that the proposed station of the Grand
Junction Company at I/aril:Won would be the best that could be
formed. Great Bridge. which was fully accommodated by this ammo
cot at all by the other lute,_, wpb. of much greater importance than
larlastorm.
To Mr. R. CLarrox—This would he the great st passenger rail-
way in the kingdom. The coal need in Birmingham came princieady
from West Bromwich, Wychiesbury, and the neighbourhood of
Bilston.
Mr. Samuel Thornhill, chemist and druggist, Birmingham, con-
firmed the evidence of the preceding witness as to the superiority of
the Snow-hill over tee:New-street station. Snow-hill was becomitmg
every day the greatest business portion of the town and the bulk of
the passengers ariviing from Wolverhampton stopped in the neigh-
bourhood of Snoweirili, which was decidedly considered by the ma-
jority of the iufluendal people of Birmingham to be the most desi-
rable ate for a railway station.
Cross-examined by Mr. Meseta:mg—lf the Snow-hill station were:
Knitted, this company proposed to purchase his freehold shop at
Snow hill.
Mr. George Heaton, millowner • and metal dealer, Birmingham,
also gave evidence in favour of tho Snow-hill station.
The lion. CHAIRMAN-1 suppose all the inhabitants in the neigh•
bourhood of Snow-hill are in favour of the Snow-hill station ?—Yes.
Mr. Samuel Briggs, builder, Bradford-street, Birmingham, said
that that street was nearer to New-street than Snow-hill. He did a
great dal Of business for people living at Wednesbury. He consi-
dered that an independent line such as this would be a great boon
to the people in tit s di'trict. Although his place of business was in
the neighbourhood of New-street he preferred the Snow-hill station.
and so did the maturity of the people of Birmingham.
Cross-examined by Mr. RICK ARDS I have no connexi a w.th his
company. The town is extending much more on the Snovr-hill titan
Lb. ..v-atra..t .1.1,.
Mr. William Collins factor, Birmingham, preferred the Snow-hill
station (it, which rte Culling,
his place of business was), and an in-
dependent line to an amalgamated Company.
Mr. Jas. Baslow, braisstiounder„ Birmingham. said that the greater
part of his customers resided at Dudley, Walsall. Wolverhampton,
and the mineral districts there. Ile had no doubt about the superi-
ority of this Company's station at Birmingh mm, and that was the
general opinion. lie had no connexion with this c.-mpany.
The Hon. CHAIRMAN said the Committee had heard qu'te sufficient
evidence on the question of the proposed stations at lsirmingham
Mr. RoaussoN said he had no desire to weary the Committee, but
perhaps they would consent to hear Mr. Spooner, the Member for
Birmingham.
The Committee having consented,
Dir. Spooner, M.P., stepped forward, and said there could be no
doubt that the Snow-hill statical was the better, although both the
stations were good ones, the New-street, le tact, being a better station
than the other for eassengers arriving from London. He considered
that bath stations were itece.ssary for the interests of the town, and
the majority of the inhabitants were of that opinion.
Cross examined by Mr. RICK: IDS Ile was a director of this line.
lie considered the New-street station iudiepensab;e, and that it was
leeirable to have 'a • paseenger station unencumbered . with goods
Even if the shrew ebury and Birmingham were parted, be consideiee
that the snow-hill station would be teeeired for the interests of the
town. There had been no Wale meeting. as far as he knew, un the
subject of the rival stations.
Re-examined by Mr. Iforsuesoat - He had purchased shares in this
Comi, y Ouch. I y because it was a ColltillUallee of the line front
Oxford to Birmingham, and would be an independent line.
Ite-cross,examitie --Lookina at the premdters and toe prospectus.
he believed hat the Shrewsbury and Birmingham would be under
the control of the London and Birmingham.. lie was not aware that
:dr. ormsht Gore, 31.1' , and Mr. s live M.P., the chairman and
deputy-chairman of the shrewd hurt' and live,
Company, were
interested in the London and Birmingham, but he had no doubt.
seeing that the latter company i,ad a fourth in the capital of the
former, they would have the control of the Shrewsbury and Itirnming-
ham. Tile line at present under the . ensineration of the' ommitter
were,' no eoubt be tinier the management of tile Great Weste n
Compai:iy.
31r H 11, banker, Wolverhampton, having been called to show the
superiority of this company's station there over that* of its rival, Mr.
RICKARDS objected to his evidence being received, on the ground
that that question was not :lien under the eon:se:cretin', of the Com-
mittee; but it b,-mg eventually Settled that the evidence might be
tendered, Mr. Hill proceeded to state that he was a magistrate of
Statte.dsaire, a ii deputy chairman of the quarter sessions 01 that
county. He agreed with Mr. Spooner, that a line such as this shoal,'
be in it de iendent hands. At a county meeting it was re.-rived that
the level of this companOs line, at Wolverhampton, would hest ac-
commotiate the people 01 this district, and a petition to Parliament
to di it effect was adopted and semen at the meetieg.
Cross-examined by Mr. Iticxeans - The shrew sbury and Bir
eaingliam line would. net. sworn as much accommodatien to the
people of Wolverhampton as the Birmingham. Wolverhampton.
and Dudley. The m.reater portion of time manufactures w: ich
were exported from Wolverham ton were sent to Liv rpool,
nut to Lennon. The meeting to which he had alluded had
been called by requisition ; be did not know whether It had been
atherbsed. It was a public meeting, not to take into consideration
the Shrewsbury and Birmingham, but solely the Bit mint:ham. Wol-
verhampton, and Dudley line, and it was naturally attended princi-
pally by those pecuniarily interested in it. The ascent to this com-
pany's station at Wolverhampton would not, he hoped, he quite so
bad us that t 9 the room 111 which be was sitting.- .(Laughter.)
Crosmexamitied by Mr. Seise- Ido not understand why one of
these companies should have a six mile clause in their Bill, whilst
the other is content with a two-mile clause.
Rte-exampled by Mr. Sergeant KINGLAKE—To those who pre-
ferred it there would be a walk on the level at the Wolverhampton
station. -
31r. Edward Perry, japanner and tin-worker, of Wolverhampton,
said that he sent the principal part of his goods south of Birming-
ham. He paid 1,000/. ter the carriage of his goods at present. He
seet them by the canal to Birmingham, and from that town to Lon-
don they were carried by railway. The present rates of carriage on
teat railway -were fa: too high, considering his profits. It was the
pi-es-statute vpinie.a as welemahampton that the low level station of
this line would best accommodate the interests of the town.
Cruss-examined by Mr. RICKARDS -Held no share in this corn-
patty. ,The proposed line of the Shrewsbury and Biriniegeam would
give him a eirect cemmutticati n well Live, peel. Chester. Ire! did,
and the south of Wales. The lobbs of the London aid Birmingham
might be I eluw those of the Great western. but still they were too
high. I it could be avoided it would be as well not to have a
break of gauge, but thmire would be one on the Birmingham and
Oxford line, which he preferred to this companys line, although
there would be no b eat upon it.
Ite-examined by Mr. Sergeant Kir:maxis -The
sieddie osadvtAih netageot a
break of guage was very slight, when put by ti
advan-
tages which this late possessed over its rivals.
Mr. Vt ynne, merchant, Wolverhampton, was next called to prove
the disadvantages under which the people of that district at present
laboured, In consequence of a want of railway accommodation; they
were oblige.' to avail themselves of the tedious route of the canals
In transmitting their goods to Oxford and other large towns. The
manufacturers of Wolverhampton generally entertained an opinion
in favour of this line. He had to share in this railway. Its station
/would be decidedly the best The town was rapidly extending In
the direction of Honely Fields
Cross-examined by Mr. Itice.Aities—The station of the Shrewsbury
and Birmingham line would be nearer to Horsley Fields than that
of its rival. Be de hiedly preferred competition in railway matters.
If this company amalgamated with the Great Western. lime 5,.11.gu1dd
join in petitioni +o. Parliament for a third line, whenamrh
be " Three Itiehrnonds in the bell."
would take place between tries company
The Committee adjourned at tour till twelve ' an there would
to -morrow.
Nsoitele°tulfFcGiocreka t Western.

Gol.ll' LIX.
The Committee ea this Group re ussem.biloedNte-:
Aa to-say,
AND
t twelve
AN
o'clock.
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AND 3AOIiRLI .T.: 101
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BURY CANA!,
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were prOce. ti.d with.
thesei''' E tpwSo I kt
113 ,I,At hLeGpAre.w!.iint
All the clati.cs were gone through,
Or, to the th,t 11111, and the Committee acijOUTlled shortly ate";
three o'clock till to-morrow at twelve.

GKOUP LX[.

cALED LTI-1177 (POLLOC AND C•017A111
AND cLynEsDALE XIINCTION AMA GA.
TIOXti ).

The Conmittc,a root this day at twelve o'clock. Sir John Duck.
worth, chairman.
Ihe pbetponed chmes in the ahovo Bill were proceeded with, and,
after amendments, were agfeed to.

EDINDUnCit AND GitaSGOV? AND SC
TESII CIENTIZAIA 317NC:730117.

X/. 4136;g4 WCW4 VA) CAW :14 140 prtaralAtQL allit44lloo,,coca.

The Committee appointed to decide on the merits of the Bills eOTt.
prised in this group met to-day at ne o'clock, in Room No. a.
Present, Mr. T. Fgerton (chairman), Sir Philip Egerton, Mr.
Wrighton, Mr. Broadwood, and 31r. Forman.
The !lilts comrrised in this group are—The Midland Great Western
of Ireland—Liffey Extension and Longford Deviation—Waterford,
Wexford, and Thuries—Cionmel and Thuries —Great South Western
—Cork Extension—Killarney Junction—Larne, Belfast, and Bally-
.hg—liewry, Warrenpoint, and Rostrevor.
The Committee were oceupie,i 41uring the day in hearing some ob-
jections u-ged by Mr. Alexand;T (fur the promoters) against some
petitions presented against the hill.

At four o'clock the t.ounnatee adjourned until twelve o'clook to-
morrow.

GROUP LX VI.

TEIVIPMEIVIORM AND NENAGN, ThaIVIZILICN,
JEMNXS, AND EXIMALOE, AZTD /COUNT..
/CELLI= /rUNCTION
These Bills were I.:(mie through to-day in the usual form before the
Chat, man 4.1 CUM ttees.

STANDING 'ORDERS' COMMITTEE.
HOUSE OF LORDS.
Tile'r Lordships me: this morning in Room NO. 1, House of Lords.
Lord Shattembury in the chair.
There were fourteen Bills on the list, of which two were on second
reference. They were all railway Bills.
ST. HELENS CANAL AND RAILWAY.
The promoters of tlaa (treat St. Helens Canal and Railway Dig
were declared to have complied with the standing orders.
BIRMINGHAM, LICHFIELD, AND MANCHESTER.
The Committee declared the standing on .ers complied with in this
case also.
WAKEFIELD. PONTEFRACT, AND GOOLE (MOTIILEY,
ASKERN, AND OAKENHAW fiItANCHLS.)
stanaing orders had iced complied with.
GUILDFORD, CHICHESTER, AND PORTSMOUTH (No. 2).
The consideration of this case was postponed till to-morrow.
CALEiONIAN (GLASGOW TERMINI AND BRANCHES.)
was before the Committee up to
sicansge,yelt,twerdillabye,
7mheenmirdfunher consideration was adjourned
till to-day. The Committee now decided that the standing orders
theTihriris
melt to be dispensed with, and passed the Bill, notwithstanding a
noncompliance. It was ordered to be specially reported.
GLOUCESTER AND DEAN FORE,4 HAIL/MA.
Standing orders complied with.
WISHAW AND COLTNESS (GREENUILL BRA III).
Standing orders complied with.
FLEE f Woof), PRESTON AND WEST RIDING aUNCTION%
The Committee declared the standing orders complied-with.
IIUDDF.RsFIELD AND AIANCHESTER RAILWAY AND
CA", (HU DEItsFIELD DIVERSION AND COOPER
BRIDGE BRANCH).
A eim•lar deeheon wds made in this case.
SHEFFIELD, AstrlON-UNDER-LYNE AND MANCHESTER
(WHALEY-BRIDGE AND HAYFIELD BRANCH).
SFIEFFIELD, ASH I oN-UN.EIi-LYNE AND MANCHESTER
(DUKINFIELD. WORsttoltOCGli, AND RitANCHES)"
In the mies of both ti.eSe branches of the Sheffield, *.oght°ll.
tinder-lyne and Man, beater. the standing orders were declared
complied with.
BELFAST, AND COLERAINE JUNCTION.
Th's Bill COlne l•es,re the Committee on second reference. The
standing or 'era were declared complied with.
•EA TERN COIT,TIES ANC HEST Ur AND LINCOLN
EXTENSION).
This case also was on second reference. Standing orders complied
with.
AYRSHIRE, BRIDGE OF WEIR, AND PORT GLASGOW
JUNCTIDN.
This case was several times called, but no appearance being made
ue to the thee theCommittre rose, it stood over for the present.
In the ...elect Committee on Merits, on the list of which there were
15 Bills (4 only being Rallies) Bill-), the hollowing cases were die-
•posed of:—

GREAT WESTERN AND 'UXBRIDGE.
Tte preamWe of this Bill was declared proved.
NORFOLK (YARMOUTH EXTENzION AND LOWESTOFT
RAILWAY LEASE).
The preamble was declared proved.
EAST FIFE.

Postponed till to-morrow.
DUNBLA\E. DOONE AND CALLANDEE.
The promoters of this itill had also proved tiled* preamble.
Ilavieg disposed of a cumber of estate Bills, their Lordships row
and adjounted till to-morrow.