The Sun.
London, England, 1846-05-02 00:00:00

BRANCH.)

M r 3PNIEL opened the case on behalf of the promoters of this
Bill. The length of the branch sought to be constructed was five
miles , and the capital to be raised 75,6001. The line was originally
Intel, led to extend much further than at present proposed, still what
was sought to be made would run through and accommodate
a p onsiderable portion of the most important coal-fields
in ,Scotland, and be the means of connecting it with
the :ports on the Clyde. The country through which it ran was
not very favourable for the promotion of a railway, and a tunnel of
cons t derable extent would have to be made; still, there were so
engli teering difficulties that would interfere with the practical work-
ing tt f the line. The Bill was petitioned against by Sir Thomas
Cocl crane, on the allegation that it would seriously damage his pro-
Perky , and there were also several road trustees petitioners. With
rega p d to the first, the promoters had arranged to avoid the property,
ss tl ast not a foot of it would be taken ; and respecting the latter,
he had no doubt he would be able to show that the complaining
parties had no tangible case whatever for opposing the scheme.
E-ri dente in agreement with the requirements of Mr. T. Dun-
corn; 50's resolutions was then put in and receiv,d.
sig. Henry Stuart, Bart., was generally examined as to the advan-
taged of the line. The branch would be of the greatest benefit to the
mineral traffic of the district ; and with respect to the roads, it was
his opinfon they would not be at all injuriously affected.
Mr. Sergeant BELLASIS was proceeding to cross-examine the wit-
ness on
bedlalf of Sir Thomas Cochrane, when
Mr. objected to his doing so, as the promoters had now no
intention of using any portion of Sir Thomas Cochrane's property.
i. Sergeant BELLasis said he had not heard of this stopping short
of the preamble before that moment ; and as the preamble of the
Bill hai not been altered before, he should object to the change being
made now. It was unfair to his client to stop short of the peti-
tioner's property, and then deprive him of the opportunity of ap-
pearing against the manner in which his estate was approached.
Aft er some conversation, the Chairman retired to consult the
Spelt' .er as to whether it was competent for the promoters to with-
draw or alter a portion of their preamble. On his return
The. Onaxamas intimated that the parties might make the altera-
tion they proposed, provided it was shown that the line so shortened
would be of general advantage to the district. Also that Sir Thomas
Cochfakte should be heard generally against the preamble.
The witness was then recalled, and shortly cross-examined, with-
out elkliting any point of material consequence.

Mr. Robert Stewart, an ironmaster in the neighbourhood, deposed
as to the benefits the branch would confer. He had four furnaces
and made about 24,000 tons of pig iron yearly. To make this he
Used oif material, iron, stone, coal, and lime, about 120,000 tons per
annum. Re leased about 1,500 acres of a mineral field. The branch
would be of great advantage to him both in bringing the raw ma-
terlal•to his works and in taking the pig Iron to the Glasgow market.
He could also through this branch, with the pits he was sinking,
supply Glasgow with 60,000 tons of coals per annum.
Mr. Sergeant lIELLAsis said ho would be willing to withdraw his
opposition providing the promoters would consent to the introduction
of a clause, binding themselves not to go through Sir Thomas Coch-
rane g park without his consent.
The CHAIRMAN said the parties had batter consider the matter
between this and Monday moniing.
Mr. Watson, coal and lronmaster, of Garecube, near Glasgow,
generally corroborated the evidence of the previous witness.
The Committee then adjourned till Monday at twelve o'clock.

GROUP XIV.
SOUTH-EASTERN AND BRANCHES.
The Committee on this group met to-day, at twelve o'clock, in
Room No. 30 ; present—Mr. Pretheroe (chairman), Lord Emlyn,
Mr. J. O'Connell, and Mr. Grogan.
Mr. Sergeant MURPHY continued the examination of 3lr. Vignoles,
the engineer t
on t
o te Notth Kent line. He stated that the total amount
of tunnelling on the North Kent was 8,340 yards by the lower loop,
and 8,820 yards by the line through Broom Park. The amount of
tunnelling on the South-Eastern by the lower loop was 12,848
yards. Was thoroughly convinced of the practicability of tunnelling
through Boughton-hill. The borings of the South-Eastern were not
hill would
the North Kent route. The clay comprisingthe cap of the
hill would not be touched. His acquaintance with North Kent did
not commence in consequence of his employment formerly by the
South Eastern Company, for he was well acquainted with It long
before the period of that employment.
The CHAIRMAN thought that sufficient evidence had already been
given on the question of priority.
Mr. Vignolles then proceeded at some length into details in sup-
port of the North Kent line.
Cross-examined by Mr. AUSTIN—Was a witness before the Rouse
of Lords on the Northampton and Peterborough Railway Bill, said
before that Committee that there were five level railway crossings
within a distance of two miles, on the Dublin and Kingstown Rail-
way, which was constructed by witness.
The CHAIRMAN inquired whether there was any probability of the
case being brought to a close before tour o'clock ?
Mr. Sergeant WRANGIIAM said that he feared not, for he had to
call Some engineers in support of Mr. Vignoles' evidence. The gen-
tlemen he proposed to call were, by their standing, fully entitled
to the attention of the Committee. He should, however, make their
examination as brief and general as he could consistently with his
case.
The CHAIRMAN cautioned Mr. Sergeant Wrangham to take care,
lest by overloading the Committee with corroborative engineering
evidence, he should create such a confusion in their minds as in the
end to induce them to discard that sort of evidence altogether.
Mr. Sergeant Wa.arronesi said that he should be sorry to have
recourse to such a proceeding as would cause the Committee to adopt
such a course, and he would,, therefore, endeavour to reduce his evi-
dence as much as possible.
Mr. GOLDSMID then called Mr. Hawkshaw, who bore testimony to
the correctness of Mr. Vignoles' evidence with regard to the su-
periority of the high levels of the North Kent over those of the South-
Eastern. Th. North Kent line was much !superior to the South-
Eastern in every way,
from The level crossings on the South-Eastern
were very objectionable, their number and their nature.
Mr. Locke, the engine
engineer, was also called in corroboration of Mr.
Vignoles' evidence. lie stated that Mr. Vignoles's line would be
superior to the South Eastern, both in gradients and construction.
A saving in distance on any line
'Trent Valley Company spont 1,50:M1ot/be. taasagrveeaat ddiesstioldeiceratoufm9.miTiehie,
The wishes to avoid the curves and angles with° old lines is the cause'
which have lately been set up.
of the formation of half of the projtheinews
Taking all the circumstances of bo
tutu consideration, he would
certainly prefer Mr. Vignoles's line to the line. The
rapid succession of trains would interfere with the traffic over the
level crossings.
It being four o'clock, the Committee here adjourned until twelve
o'clock ou Monday.

GROUP XIX.
The Committee sat at halC past two o'clock In room No. 14.
_Present, Lord Harry Vane, chairman, and all the monlagra.
cuAR,D CANAL RAILWAY.
Cubltt, In consequence of whose absence the case stood over
prow yesterday, being in attendance this morning his evidence was
now given. It merely referred to the amount of Injury that would
be done to the canal and other property. He believed that no pro-
perty would be injured by the limit
The case stood over for further ccnsideratlon, and the Committee
proceeded with the case of the
itrusTox. lIND EXETER (CREW ERNE