The Sun.
London, England, 1846-07-22 00:00:00

Room E.

EXETER, YEOVIL, AND DORCHESTER.
LONDON, SALISBURY, AND YEOVIL.
The Committee appointed to inquire into the merits cf these lines
met this morning for the first time. The members of the Committee
were Lord Beaumont (chairman), Lords Dartmouth, Raufurley, Car-
rington, and Delawarr.

The preliminary proceedings haying been arranged,
Mr. CocitsraN proceeded to open the case on behalf of the pro-
moters.

An objection was taken, at an early stage of the proceedings, by
Mr. Talbot, against the course proposed to be adopted by the pro-
moters of taking the three Bills together. The Committee, however,
overruled the objection, intiraating, at the same time, that the
interests of the parties opposing the Bill would not be prejudiced in
the:minds of the Committee by the adoption of such a course.
The Learned COVISSEL then proceeded at considerable length
to point out to the Committee the course of the proposed
lines, and commencing at Exeter. lie said that the station at that
town was the most convenient for the interests of the town which
could possibly be made. Leaving Exeter, the line proceeded to
newton, and thence proceeded through Axminster to Yeovil. The
total length of the line between Exeter and Yeovil was 47 miles 49
chains, and the estimate for that portion would be about one million.
The attention of the Committee was next directed to the de-
cision of the Committee of the House of Commons, upon the merits
of the line, upon the case of the property of Lord Digby, Sir W.
Oglander, and others. The total saying of distance between
London and Exeter would be between 24 and 25 miles. The scheme
originally comprised three different junctions, but they were now
tat d into one, and the South-Western Company had guaranteed a
dividend of four-and-a-half percent. upon the whole capital sub-
scribed. which was raised principally by local subscrip-
tions. The great objects of the scheme were not so much
for the purpose of affording accommodation to the northern
traffic as for giving the means of a direct and speedy
connexion between the metropolis and Exeter, and also to the
counties of Devon and Cornwall ; this object would have been frus-
trated, if the line proposed by the Exeter Great Western Company
had been sanctioned. The effect of sanctioning that measure would
be to destroy the through communication, because the district between
Exeter and Yeovil would be laid down upon the broad gauge system.
The Committee of the House of Commons, taking this matter into
their consideration, had considered it necessary to introduce into the
Bill a clause making It imperative on the company, should
the Board of Trade think fit, to lay down upon
their narrow gauge line additional rails to suit the broad:gauge ; by
such means the interests of the Great Western Company would be
protected, and the line between Exeter and London would be pre-
served in its integrity. It was necessary for the interests of the
country through which the line passed, and with a view of effecting
a more speedy communication between the metropolis and Exeter.
that the line should be in the hands of an independent company,
and not in the hands of those whose interests it would
be to carry the traffic along their more circuitous line.
If the present line were sanctioned by their Lordships, and left in
the hands of an independent company, the salutary effect of im-
posing a check upon monopoly would be felt by all the parties in-
terested in railway accommodation in the districts through which
the line passed. The present line being on the narrow gauge,
it would afford the means of continuous communication between
the ports of Dover, Sheerness, Southampton, and all the country on
the east part of England, with Exeter and the western counties of En-
gland. With reference to London, they would have three distinct sta-
tions, they would have a station, which was at present In existence at
Nine Elms, for the convenience of that portion of the metropolis; there
would be another station at the York-road, Lambeth, which had re-
ceived the sanction of the Legislature, and would shortly be com-
pleted ; and there would also be another station at London-bridge,
should the Legislature sanction that extension. The Royal Com-
mission had reported favourably of that extension, and a Committee
of the House of Commons was now sitting on the merits of the Bill,
and he had no doubt whatever but the scheme would receive the
sanction of the Legislature. With reference to the opposition on the
part of landowners, there was none of any nature sufficient to justify
the rejection of the measure • and he did not think that his Learned
Friend who represented the interests of the Great Western Company
could have any locus standi before the Committee. In conclusion, he
called upon the Committee to sanction the present line. Ile would
proceed to call evidence which their Lordships would see would fully
corroborate the statements lie had made.

Mr. Salter, brewer, of Exeter, was then called, and examined by
Mr. MERF.WETHER, IVIIO stated that he consumed large quantities of
malt.; he purchased his barley Principally at Salisbury, and if the
present line was constructed it would afford him great facilities for
obtaining It from those places.
Atter some further evidence, the Committee adjourned till eleven
o'clock to-morrow.

Room F.

IMMINGHAM AM) 031:1"0110) 317INCTZON
(Continued from our Afternoon Edition.)
Mr. Shaw, a magistrate at Birmingham, and manufacturer and
merchant, then gave similar evidence.
Mr. Mums, M.P., and Mr. Philip Muntz, his brother, gave evi-
dence similar to that given by them before the Committee of the
House of Commons, which will be fresh in the minds of most of our
readers. It was in corroboration of that of the previous wino, sses.
Evidence was given by each witness to the effect that the tolls on
the London and Birmingham were excessively high, and must be
much reduced by competition.

31r. Spooner, M.P.- iorßirmingharn, gave similar evidence,

Mr. TALBOT said, on the conclusion of this witness's evidence, that
le wished to call a Noble Lord who was now in the chair in another
:ommittee—he moant Lord Hatherton.

The GRAMMA N—Then you must dispense with his evidence.
Mr. TALBOT—No, Sir. I had the honour last year to examine a
Noble Chairman, who adjourned his Committee fur five minutes while
he want to give evidence, and I have now sent a messenger to re-
quest his Lordship to do the same.

The CIIAIRMAX suggested that they should hear some other evi-
dence ix the meantime. This was assented to, and
Idr. Aston, a button-maker, of Birmingham, gave similar evidence
to that of the former witnesses.
Lord Umberto'', ott his arrival, gave evidence very strongly in
favour of the line, Illadderdship, „it will be remembered, gave evi-
dence before tile committeauf.- the Rouse- of Commons. His state-
ment now was`preeisely similar to that published in The Sun at the
ereeto-ear2Zdbed• by Dir. Steller on the part
time. His Lordship
of the opponents of the BM.

Lord Villiers also gave evidence in favour of the line:and was
Cross-examined by Mr. Axxxatinza, on the part of Mr. Wyse and
of Dr. Jephson, who petitioned on the ground of residential damage.
Mr. Thomas Brrker, of Lymington, gave similar evidence.
The Committee then rose at about hal past Four, and atijourued
till to-morrow.

Room H.

This Committee met to-day for the first time, Lord Strafford ll]
the chair; other members of the Committee present—Lord De Lisle,
Lord Strangtord, Lord Carnoys, and Earl Fowls.
BLACKBURN AND PRESTON .11,511) EAST
XIANCILSIZIRE AMALGAMA.TIOrr.

Mr. Sergeant Wrangham and Mr. Brandt appet bred on behalf o
this Bill, the object of which was to effect an amalgai nation;between the
Blackburn and Preston and East Lacashire lines. There were two
petitions against the Bill, but they were not appea red on by counsel,
and consequently the Bill was unopposed.
Some slight evidence was taken as to the nature of the amalgama-
tion, when the Committee declared the preamble of the Bill to be
proved.

BRISTOL AND BIRMINGRA IV/ AND
MIDLAND.
This Bill, the object of which is to amalgamate tb e Bristol and Bir-
mingham line of railway with the Midland Count.les, was next pro-
ceeded with.

The Great Western Company appeared against the Bill.
Mr. LONG briefly opened the case on behalf of the J3lll, when the
examination of witnesses was proceeded with_

When the examination of the first witness, was proceeding with.
a question was raised about the right of Mr. Austin to appear on
behalf of the Great Western Company, which led to a discussion on
the point. At tile close of it.

securing Aft'. AUSTIN said he appeared against tlie BM., solely tihogprtohtteactt
tthhee
interests of the Great Western Comptsny, by
gauge Gloucester and
communicationß ristol Companywi
ol
the s
tat Western houl;tre thernaintreetinrnc
oinpapresent
Company
yroadat
and between the points of Stonehouse and Bristol. He was
quite willing to withdraw his opposition to this Bill. if the promoters
would insert a clause he had drawn up , which he begged leave to
state was in accordance with the recent report of the Board of Trade
and Lord Dalhousie's resolutions adopt ed by their Lordships' House.
The Learned Gentleman then read the clause, which was in effect
that in the event of the amaigamay to
,on being ::greed
company should be bound to maintain intact the prpresent' the united
broad gauge
communication at and between bit onehouse and Bristol.
After a consultation, Mr. Lows on behalf of the promoters of the
Bill, intimated that he could n of consent to the clause in question.
Mr. AUSTIN said, in that elute he would go back to his original
position, and oppose the prearuble of the BM.
The Committee considered that he had a right to do so, and the
examination of witnesses was proceeded with,
Mr. Saunders, the Secretary of the Bristol and Birmingham rail-
way was first examined. His evidence went to show that a unity of
management woald tent greatly to facilitate the efficient working
of the line.
Cross-examined—The Midland Company had already 200 miles
of railway under its ,control, and the present Bill would give them