The Sun.
London, England, 1846-03-23 00:00:00

BRIDGE MINERAL. JUNCTION.

---- •
The promoters of the Bill seek for powers to coast and a
mineral branch to Wislaw and Coltness Railway.
Length two miles, estimated cost 50,000/. ; engine( r, Mr.
J. Adee ; Parliamentary agents and solicitor, same as in the
last-named Bill.

The SPEAKER having been announced to be at l raying
during the consideration of this Bill the Commit ten ad-
journed until to-morrow, when it will again come, 'before
them.

STANDING ORDERS' COMMITTEMS.
HOUSE OF LORDS.
(Continued from our Afternoon Edition.)
DIRECT LONDON AND PORTSMOUTH RAI LWAY.
This was the next line which came under the oors sideration
of their Lordships. An objection was entered. a& ainst this
Bill that the names of parties who were promoters of the Bill
last year, and whose connexion had ceased, with the line,
were still retained to the Bill.
The Committee decided that, in consequence of a resolu-
tion passed last year—that every Bill should come before the
Committee in precisely the same state as when it was referred
back last year, those names were of necessity retained, and
they therefore recommended that the Bill should be allowed
to proceed, on the parties undertaking to strike out the re-
tained names, and producing a Bill signed only by the pre-
sent promoters.
The Committee adjourned till to-morrow.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.
EXETER GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY.
(Continued from our Afternoon Edition.)
The decision with regard to the former allegation was
postponed, till a witness was sent for, and with regard to the
latter.

Mr. VENABLES, on the part of the promoters, presented a
document from Lord Bridport and Mr. Thomas Hoskins, two
of the petitioners, assenting to the line.
The Committee was of opinion that they "could not receive
their assent as a withdrawal; that the proper course would
have been to have announced their intention to Parliament
by another petition. With regard to the numerous inaccu •
racies in the plans, the disagreement between the plans and
sections, and other engineering points, alleged as not in con-
formity with the standing orders, some of them were aban-
doned, and many of them were held to be immaterial, but
still to amount to noncompliances.
There were 75 allegations contained in this petition, which
occupied the Committee till four o'clock, when they adjourned
till to-morrow.

TATTERSALL'S-THIS EVENING.

CHESTZR CUP.
8 to 1 agst Wadlow's lot
12 to 1 agat Sweetmeat
20 to 1 agst Clumsy
20 to 1 agst Miss Burns
22 to 1 agat Best Bower
25 to 1 agst Hope
30 to 1 agst Mermaid
30 to 1 agst Fitzallan
35 to 1 agst Arthur
40 to 1 agst The MrAgnet
40 to 1 agst Billy Purvis
50 to 1 agst Discord
100 to 1 agst Libel—taken

Six o'Cwcic.

NEWMARKET HANDICAP.
20 to 1 agat Marquis of Conyngham
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE STAKES.
4 to 1 agst Godfrey
5 to 1 agst Morpeth
DERBY.
14 to 1 agat Brocardo
35 to 1 agst Malcolm
50 to 1. agst Poynton

MPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

(THIS EVENING.)

HOUSE OFCOMMONS.
The SPEAKER took the Chair at a few rnintues to Four
SECOND READINGS.
The following Bills were read a second time and
passed, viz.:—
Scottish Central Railway (Denny Branch).
Scottish Central Railway (Alloa Branch).
Scottish Central Railway (Crieff Branch).
Scottish Central Railway (Perth Termini and Stations).
Strathtay and Breadalbane Railway.
Caledonian Northern Direct Railway.
Caledonian Railway (Langholme Branch.)
S'irlingshire Midland Junction Railway.
Caledonian Railway (Clydesdale Junction Railway De-
viation).
Caledonian Railway (Glasgow Termini and Branches).
Caledonian Railway (Carlisle Deviation).
Pella, and Govan and Clydesdale Junction Railways
Amalgamation.
Caledonian Railway (Glasgow, Garnkirk, and Coat-
Glbarsigdogwe,RSatiria.wthayamPenti, and Le
"haae).smhagow Direct Railway.
GlasgWeow Branch)., Paisley, and Greenock Railway (Bridge of
ir
Caledonian, Polloc and Govan, and Clydesdale Junction
Railways Amalgamation.

Glasgow, Barrhead, and Neilstoa Direct Railway
(Branches to Paisley).
Edinburgh, Leith, and Granton Railway Amendment.
Glasgow, Garnkirk, and Coatbridge Railway Extension.
Guildford, Chichester, and Portsmouth Railway.
Wester.- 3 uper-Mare Pier.
Banffshire Railway.
Bridhouse Sewering, Draining, and Lighting.
Plymouth Cemetery.
Taunton Gas.
Yeovil Market and Fairs.
Stockton Gas.
Dudley Canal and Birmingham Canal Companies Amal-
gamation.
Birmingham, Wolverhampton, and Stour Valley Rail-
way (Stour Valley Line.)
Birmingham, Wolverhampton, and Stour Valley Rail-
way (Birmingham, Wolverhampton, and Dudley Line.)
Midland Railway (Leicester and Swannington Railway
Alteration and Branches.)
Midland Railway (Burton-upon-Trent to Nuneaton).
SOUTH WALES RAILWAY.
Mr. VIVIAN moved the second reading of the South
Wales Railway Bill, when
Captain BARCLAY hoped that the Hon. Member
would not press the second reading. It was well known
that the Board of Admiralty were opposed to the crossing
of the river Severn at the Aust ferry, which was con-
templated by the South Wales Company; and when the
Bill should be carried before the Committee of the
House, with this fact before them, it was certain that
the Committee would not allow the work to be pro-
cee4ed with. He understood that, in order toget over this
difficulty, the parties promoting the measure had a
plan by which they proposed to carry tho railway
under the river by means of a tunnel. The
Board of Admiralty would, in his opinion,
object quite as strongly to that mode as by the
former proposed plan of a bridge, as it would completely
prevent any future improvement in the navigation of the
Severn. The Hon. Gentleman then read a letter which
had been received from the Admiralty Board, in which
their Lordships expressed their strongest objection to
the river being crossed by a bridge ; and, in fat t, any
method of crossing the river which should interfere with
its bed or navigation. He hoped that the second reading
of the Bill would be put off for a week, in order that the
opinion of the Lords of the Admiralty as to the proposed
tunnel might be obtained. He should, therefore, move
that the second reading of the Bill be adjourned to this
day week.
Mr. RUSSELL hoped the House would bear in mind
the circumstances which attended the proposed railway.
He could assure the Hon. Gentlman °that the Bill was
now framed in a mode which was deemed satisfactory
to the Admiralty. He had in his possession a letter
from the First Lord of the Admiralty, which stated that
the Admiralty Board would give their entire assent to
the mode proposed by crossing the river by means of a
tunnel.
Captain BARCLAY said, if he had known that the
Admiralty.had given their consent to the making of a
tunnel, he would not have opposed the second reading
of the Bill.
The question was then put from the Chair, and the
Bill was read a second time and ordered to be committed.
MIDLAND RAILWAY.—PURCHASE OF OAK-
HAM CANAL.
Mr. PACKE opposed the second reading of this Bill,
as he did not deem it advisable that the canal should be
stopped. It was a question which involved the whole
canal interest of the kingdom, and he would ask the
House to consider how far a railway company should be
allowed to interfere with the working a canal, and
whether such a mode of proceeding would not eventually
prejudice the interests of the public. He begged to move
that the Bill be read a second time this day week.
Colonel SIBTHORP thought it was high time that
some check should be given to the monopolising system
of the various railway companies.
Mr. FINCH thought there was no good and valid
objection to the second reading of the Bill. The canal
which the Honourable Gentleman had spoken of was the
worst in the kingdom, and the great body of the proprie-
tors of the canal were favourable to its sale. The rail-
way company proposed to furnish a better mode
of conveyance than that which was furnished at
present by the canal ;: and he therefore trusted
that the House would not entertain the objection of
the Hon. Gentleman to the second reading of the Bill.
After a few words from Lord G. SOMERSET,
Sir JOHN TROLLOPE said that the Company
would enter into any arrangement to make the Canal
more advantageous to the public.
The amendment was then withdrawn.
FORTH AND CLYDE RAILWAY.
Mr. FORBES presented petitions from Stirlingshire
and Perthshire in favour of the Forth and Clyde Rail-

way.
MANCHESTER, LIVERPOOL, AND NEW-
CASTLE JUNCTION RAILWAY.
An HON. MEMBER presented a petition signed by
4,000 persons, in favour of the above railway.
Mr. GREENE brought up the report on the Scottish
Grand Junction Railway Bill, which was ordered to be
laid on the table.
Mr. ENTWISLE presented a petition from the
Lancaster and Carlisle Railway Company against the
North British Railway.
LONDON AND NEWCASTLE RAILWAY.
Mr. DUNCAN presented two petitions in favour of
this Bill.

BOLTON WATERWORKS BILL.
Mr. MUNTZ presented a petition from the township
of Little Bolton, in Lancashire, against the Bolton Water-
works Bill.

WEST RIDING UNION RAILWAY.
The HoN. GENTLEMAN then moved that the minutes
of evidence taken before the Sub-Committee on the
petition for the West Riding Union Railway Bill, on the
12th and 13th days of February, 1846, be referred to the
Committee on the Petition for the West Riding Union
Railway Bill, presented en the 10th day of this instant
March.
Sir G.- CLERK considered that this mode of pro-
ceeding would be altogether irregular. The promoters
had had the consent of the Coiximittee appointed to in-
quire into their petition, and they had leave from this
Committee, under peculiar circumstances, to present a
fresh petition to that House for leave to in-
troduce a fresh Bill. But the present petition
was to refer the evidence taken by the Committee
upon a former occasion to the Committee which might
be appointed to hear the petition since presented. He
did not consider that it followed that the Bill now to be
brought in upon the new petition was similar to the Bill
introduced upon the first petition. He had heard
no reason stated why the petition should be acceded to,
and he must, therefore, object to the motion of his
Honourable Friend. It was a motion of an unusual
character ; the petition upon the present Bill
was altogether a new and substantive measure. It
would have to stand upon its own merits. Another
Committee would exercise their own discretion upon it,
or they might call further evidence, and would obtain
all the information they might require. lie could not,
therefore, see how evidence taken upon a former occa-
sion could be made to apply to the measure under con-
sideration.
Lord MORPETH considered that the customary
course of proceeding in this House would be against
entertaining the motion at present. With reference to
the Bill to which this petition applied, the promoters
were fully confident of its merits ; they did not
wish for any concealment whatever.—(Hear) The
Bill to be brought in was a fresh proceeding alto-
ther, and they would have the usual means of opposing
it ; and he therefore trusted that the House would com-
ply with the recommendation of the Hon. Member for
Oxford, and not entertain the petition.
Mr. MUNTZ said that he was not aware that he was
seeking for anything irregular in moving for the evi-
dence. Ho was not an interested party in the Bill, and
he would be the last person to press for anything ir-
regular ; ho would, therefore, beg leave to withdraw his
motion.

LONDON AND BRIGHTON RAILWAY.
Mr. O'CONNELL brought up a report from Group 15
on the London and Brighton Railway, which was ordered
to lie on the table.
Mr lIUME said he had two petitions to present,
partly of a private nature, and yet they might be called
public, when the importance of the subjects to which
they referred was considered. They related to the na-
vigation of the country. The one was from the Parlia-
mentary trustees on the river Clyde. It stated that a
railway company, which had brought in its Bill last
Session, and which was for eleven days before a Com-
mittee, and which was at length rejected, had
this year come forward with the same propo-
sition. The trustees had opposed them, at an expense
of 5,0001., and they begged to be protected against this
continual annoyance. The other petition was from the
inhabitants of the town of Warrington, against a rail-
way company which had made three several attempts to
cross the Mersey. 3,000,000 tons of goods passed up
and down this river annually, and the powers they
sought would be a great injury to the navigation. He
begged to say that he would at some fu!ure time call the
attention of the House to this subject, in order that
some means might be devised to prevent the annoyance
and expense.
Mr. BANKS presented two petitions against the
Midland Railway, from the residents and landholders on
the banks of the Oakham canal. The petitioners stated
that the Company was about to purchase and disuse the
canal, and that would interfere with certrin privileges
which they enjoyed under the Canal Act.
Lord WORSLEY moved that it be an instruction to
the Committee on Railways, Group No. 9, to proceed
with the consideration of the Glasgow Harbour Grand
Junction Railway Terminus Bill, but after a short dis-
cussion, in which Lord G. Somerset and another Hon.
Member took part, the Noble Lord withdrew his motion. ,
AMALGAMATION OF RAILWAYS.
Mr. W. PATTEN then moved that a Seleet Commit-
tee, to consider how far, and under what regulations, the
further amalgamation of railways wovld ba consistent
with a due regard to the commercial and general inte-
rests of the country. In moving this motion he did
not mean to disparage amalgamations of railways in
general, because he did believe that, with proper regu-
lations and proper restrictions, amalgamations might be
rendered more beneficial to the promoters and more con-
ducive to the general interests of the country. The ex-
tent to which it was proposed to carry amalgamations
was so great that, in his opinion, it was desirable
that the House should be in possession of more accurate
information and more practicable results in relation to
amalgrmation generally before the House proceeded to
commit itself to the extent now proposed. The amal-
gamation Bills before the House amounted to thirty-
three, and they comprised railway communications ex-
tending from one end of the country to the other. At
first sightit would only appear that some of these Bills
related only to particular districts, but in two in-
stances there were Bills by which five or six separate
companies were proposed to be placed under one ma-
nagement,and which proposed to remove that competition
which the public had hitherto relied upon for protection.
There were some of these Bills to which he thought

public attention was not sufficiently drawn, though they
materially affected the commerce of the country. It was
not alone on railway schemes that such was the case, for
he held in his hnnd a list of canals which it was sought
to amalgamate or unite with the canals, the object being
most manifestly to encourage the old system of water
carriage, which was found to be most inconvenient. The
question assumed such an importance, that he believed if
the House did not take measures to regulate and restrain
the speculations of capitalists, the result would be very
ruinous to the country. To give an illustrationlof what was
going to take place he might mention that there was a
project to connect Scotland with the city of Bristol,
crossing an immense district of country. Now, it struck
him that it would be impossible to get a company who
could raise a sufficient capital to carry out such a project.
He would not have objected to the Chairman of the
Committee of Selection appointing a group of Members
possessing the confidence of the House, to make the
necessary arrangements which was sought to be obtained
by the motion which he (Mr. W. Patten) now sub-
mitted. He for one, however, at the same time must
say that such a course would be an unusual one, and
one to which some objection might be taken. It was a
question also that might be left to the consideration
of the Committee appointed at the suggestion of the
Honourable Member for Inverness (Mr. Morrison), and
he (Mr. Patten) would no objection to its being referred
to that Committee, providing the inquiry into these
amalgamations could be proceeded with at once. It
was important that on such a subject no delay should
take place. If the consideration of the subject was put
oft' till the middle of the session, the consequence would
be, that many of the Bills would either have to be adju-
dicated on without the result of the inquiry, or else the
Bills would have to be put off till next session, .to
the great inconvenience of the promoters of these
schemes. It was to obtain the opinion of all parties
throughout the country, whose practical knowledge and
experience enabled them to give advice, and in order
to place the best information on the subject before the
House, that he proposed the present Committee.
—(Hear, hear.) He thought the report of the Board of
Trade on this question had not been attended to
enough last session. Had the Committee acted more
on the suggestion of that report than they did much of
the evil complained of would have been avoided.

Mr. ENTWISLE concurred in the remarks that fel
from the Hon. Member who supported the appointmen
of the Committee.

COMMONS' SUMMARY.
The SPEAKER took the chair at four o'clock.
Several railway Bills were read a second time and ordered
to be committed.

Mr. VIVIAN moved the second reading of the South Wales
Railway Bill.
Captain BERKLEY moved as an amendment that the Bill
be read a second time that day three months. He objected
to the railway crossing the river Severn by a bridge, and he
was sure the Admiralty would object to a tunnel.
Mr. RUSSELL said that it was not the intention of the
South Wales Railway to cross the Severn by a bridge, that
they intended to do so by a tunnel, and that the adoption
of that plan was consented to by the Admiralty.
After this statement the amendment was withdrawn, and
the Bill was read a second time and ordered to be committed.
On the motion for the second reading of the Midland Rail-
way (Oakhant Canal purchase) Bill, some discussion took
place on the amendment of Mr. PARKE, that the Bill be read
a second time that day six months, which ended in the mo-
tion being withdrawn, and the Bill read a second time, and
ordered to be committed.

After a short discussion, Mr. MuarTz withdrew his motion,
that the minutes of evidence taken before the Sub-Committee
on the petition for the West Riding Union Railway Bill, be
referred to the Committee on the petition for the West
Riding Union Railway Bill presented on the 10th inst.
Lord WORSLEY moved, pursuant to notice, that it be an
instruction to the Committee on the Railway Group No. 9,
to proceed with the consideration of the Glasgow Harbour
Grand Junction Railway Terminus Bill.
After some discussion the motion was withdrawn.
Mr. W. FATTEN then moved for a Select Committee to
consider how far, and under what regulation the further
amalgamation of railways would be consistent with a due re-
gard to the commercial and general interests of the country.

HOUSE OF LORDS.
The Earl of SHAFTESBURY took his seat on the Woo;
sack at five o'clock.

WEXFORD AND WATERFORD RAILWAY.
The Earl of WICKLOW presented a petition in
favour of this line.

CORK AND WATERFORD RAILWAY.
A NOBLE LORD presented several petitions in favour
of the Cork and Waterford Railway.
IMPRISONMENT FOR DEBT.
Lord DENMAN presented a petition from a person
named Robert Green, who is now confined in the
Queen's Bench Prison for debt, praying their Lordships
to amend the law for the relief of insolvent debtors, in
order that persons imprisoned for debt might regain
their liberty without going through the Bankruptcy or
Insolvent Courts.

POOR-RATES.
Lord REDESDALE presented a petition from Tiver-
ton complaining that the poor-rates fell heavily on the
owners of real property, that other parties were ex-
empted from them, and praying that they should be
superseded by a national tax, and that if any deficiency
took place, it should be defrayed out of the Consolidated
Fund. lie could not exactly agree in the prayer of the
petition, but he could not help stating that the proposed
law of settlement did not meet with the approbation of
the country, as it would pres heavily on the agricultu-
ral portion of the community.