The Sun.
London, England, 1845-05-22 00:00:00

RAILWAY COMMITTEES
(Till:-4 DAY.)

Group N.
WEST CORNWALL RAILWAY.

At the sitting of the Committee some conversation ensued re.
specting the length of time which the scheme had been before it

The CHAIRMAN (Mr. Macaulay) said they had already sat eight
days on a line of some '2O or 23 miles in length, and from the
waste of time that had taken place it was not unlikely their time
might be occupied for many days longer, lie wished to know
what course the parties now intended to pursue ?
Mr. Rows said he was most desirous to save the time of the
Committee, and with that object in view he had abandoned his
intention of calling witnesses on behalf of Mr. Thomas, and should
then address the Committee in support of that gentleman's case.

After some discussion between the promoters of the Bill, the
Committee, and the counsel for the petitioner, the Committee de.
cided they would lied'. Mr. Rowe.

The Learned Gentleman then addressed the Committee. He
contended that the promoters had not proved their preamble, and
that there were insuperable obstacles to the construction of the
line. With respect to the Hayle Railway, five miles and a half in
length, which was to become a portion of the main line,
he held that the laying down of the broad gauge
across public roads, and the various alterations which
would be rendered necessary, would require new Parliamentary
powers, and that the Committee were not empowered to report
favourably on that portion of the line. He cited instances of this
on the Croydon and South Devon. In addition to these objec-
tions, they could not alter or repeal the Hayle Railway Act with
respect to the leasing of the line and the alteration of the tolls,
which would be rendered necessary by including it in the
scheme. Having then no powers at the present moment
to effect these important alterations, the first man that
stuck a pick-axe in the ground would be liable to be charged at the
quarter sessions for so doing. An interregnum of the extent of
the Hayle Railway would be the result, and both branches of the
main line (that railway being between them) would be rendered
unavailable for the purposes of a railway, until they could obtain
the necessary powers He referred at great length to the Acts of
Parliament in relation to the subject to substantiate the objections
he had urged.

Group -W.

WAKEFIELD, PONTEFRACT, AND GOOLE RAILWAY.
The Committee on this group re-assembled to-day at twelve
o'clock, Mr. Pakington in th. chair.

The examination of witnesses was then continued to prove the
necessity for the formation of this railway.

he first witness was Mr. William Moorehouse, examined by
Mr. WILKINB—If this line were carried out, the vessels
which leave Goole, with stone for ports on the eastern coast, would
have a greater facility for distributing the corn with which they
return laden among the manufacturing districts. He had 37 ves-
sels employed in the conveyance of stone, coal, &c. The freight
of stone and coal to London was 10s. per ton. The
corn sent back from the ports on the eastern coast
costs generally 2s. per quarter for freight. Considered that the
proposed line would diminish the cost of conveyance, and consi-
derably shorten the time occupied in the transit. The vessels
now detained so long by the canal from Goole to Wakefield
would have their cargoes at once transferred to
the railway, and forwarded in a few hours. The
signatures of the petition which he now presented in favour of
the line comprised some of the most wealthy inhabitants of Knot-
tingley. The land in that neighbourhood was very valuable. He
sold a single acre himself for 3001. It was intended to be worked
for coal. He had 25 shares in the line.

By Mr. HARDY—Considered the line under consideration would
greatly promote the trade of the district, and would be likely to
make a handsome return to the shareholders.

(LEFT SITTING.)

Group DD.

GLASGOW, DUMFRIES, AND CARLISLE RAILWAY.
The Committee re-assembled this morning at half-past eleven,
and shortly after proceeded with the further consideration of the
schemes before them.

Mr. Miller and Mr. M`Queen, both of Edinburgh, were exa.
mined generally as to the traffic from Edinburgh with the manu-
facturing towns in the western and midland districts of England.
They considered that the proposed Glasgow, Dumfries, and Carlisle
Railway presented the best and most efficient means of communi-
cation between Edinburgh and the west of England.

Sir James Forrest, Bart., late Lord Provost of Edinburgh,
was then examined. It appeared from his evidence that

during the last two or three years there had been a
very strong feeling in Edinburgh with respect to the supply
of water to the inhabitants, and that there had been several attempts
to procure an Act of Parliament to effect this object. Many
meetings were held, and numerous discussions took place ; and,
while the public mind was thus occupied, the promoters of the
Caledonian scheme came forward, and tempted the people of Edin-
burgh to give their approbation to the project, by offering to bring
along their line a sufficient supply of water. They even went so
far as to promise to give Edinburgh an aqueduct free of expense.
If the Caledonian Company had not made this offer, he felt satin.
tied that their suffrages would have been given to the Glasgow and
Carlisle scheme.

Mr. S. Brown, merchant, at Glasgow, was next called—He
stated that he carried on a very extensive trade in rouslins in
Glasgow, and he was also extensively connected with the counties
of Ayr, Dumfries, Wigton, Kircudbright, and the north of Ire-
land. He had agents in all these places, and he also em-
ployed persons in the western parts of Scotland in collecting
the materials for his manufactures. The fabric produced
from his works was of such a nature as to require
immediate dispatch to its destined market. The average
value of the manufactured material was from 4s. to ss. per pound
weight, and its highest value was 17s. for the same quantity. A
great quantity of the goods were transmitted to London for dis,
posal ; and it was of the utmost importance they should be con-
veyed thither as speedily as possible after they were manufactured.
The cheapest description °foods are usually conveyed to London by
means of sailing vessels, but the better qualities are sent by steamers.
He was of opinion that the Dumfries line would furnish the best
means of communication for all parts, as it not only connected the
most important manufacturing towns of Scotland with each other,
but also with the northern and western districts of England.
Mr. Meacock, shipping agent at Liverpool, deposed that
he was in the habit of having goods consigned to him
from Glasgow for exportation from the port of Liverpool,
The manufactures sent from Glasgow are, for the moat part, in-
tended for shipment to abroad. They are usually dispatched to
North America, the West Indies, and other foreign parts. The
goods intended for home consumption, the amount of which is
comparatively small, are transmitted to Manchester, Leeds, and
other districts in the interior, and eventually they find their way to
London, where the principal portion are disposed of. The witness then
gave a general description of the present means of communication
between Glasgow and the western and midland districts of England.
Mr. Newall, merchant at Dundee, deposed as to the present
means of conveyance from Dundee to London and other parts. He
said that with him cheapness in the transmission of goods was the
principal object, and even if they were delayed for two or three
days in their dispatch, it was of no great importance. He did not
think the construction of a railway to Dundee would materially
benefit it.

(LE➢T SITTING.

Group V.