The Sun.
London, England, 1846-05-16 00:00:00

GROUP XVIII,

This Committee assembled at the usual hour, Mr. B. Denison,
chairman.

EXETER, YEOVIL, AND DORCHESTER.

The cross-examination of air. Divett,.lll.P. for Exeter, was re-

slimed this morning by Mr. AUSTIN, on behalf of the Great Western
Railway. lie stated that there had been enormous specula-
tion in Exeter in railway concerns. Ile believed Mr.
Toby was a native of Exeter • he had not the pleasure of
knowing him. He knew Mr. Woolmer very well. Ile believed he
was Chairman of this Company. He would be sorry to see the broad
gauge taken up on that portion of the line between Bristol and
Exeter for several reasons. One of his reasons was, the bacon-
venlenee of a change of gauge. Another reason was, that
he did not think it probable that he would be able to
make the journey from Exeter to London in so short a
time by the narrow as by the broad gauge. He considered,
however, that both gauges were a mistake, and that Mr. Brunel was
wrong in dashing out at once as he did into a 7 feet gauge ; and, on
• the other hand, he felt convinced that the narrow gauge, was too
narrow for purposes of speed. In his opinion, Parliament had acted
very unwisely in not insisting, at an earlier period of the railway
history, upon an uniform gauge.
Re-examined by Mr. ROWE —ln his opinion a narrow gauge should
not be intruded.upon a broad gauge. He thought, however, that a
direct competing line on the narrow gauge, front Exeter to
London would be of great benefit, and he thought it
would more effectually compete with the existing line.
He thought that if another rail was laid down on the Wilts and So-
merset Railway, which would effect a junction with the proposed
line, there would then be a direct competing line on the narrow
gauge from Bristol to the Straits of Dever.
In answer to a question from the CHAIRMAN, the Hon. Member
stated that he should most certainly prefer tahing into consideration
the existing lines, and also the line from Southampton to Dorches-
ter„a narrow gauge, direct from Exeter to Dover.

Mr. Delairgr was the next witness examined by Mr. MERRE-
WETIIER—He had resided 45 years in Exeter, and had filled the office
of mayor of that city. The feeling In favour of the proposed line was
very considerable in that city.
The examination of this witness was interrupted by the Chairman
and Committee as he was giving evidence in favour of the line from
Exeter to Salisbury, and not as between Exeter and Yeovil.

After a considerable discussion between the counsel on each side,
and the Committee, the room was cleared tor a division.
On our re-admission into the room,
The CHAIRMAN announced that the Committee had decided that
they would take the whole of the evidence as regarded the whole line.
The emuninatiou of the witness was then resumed, who gave Ra-
ther evidence as to the benefit to be derived from the proposed line.
Mr. Turner, a large agriculturist, of Bath, gave similar evidence
in favour of the line.

Mr. Ferd, carrier, proved that the carriage of goods on the South-
Western was much superior to the Great Western in point of
punctuality, safety, dispatch, and price.
Thomas Kingland, farmer and cider grower, stated the proposed
line would be very convenient for him to send his cider and stock by.
The Committee then rose at four o'clock, and adjourned till Monday.