The Sun.
London, England, 1845-05-17 00:00:00

RAILWAY COMMITTEES.
(THIS DAI .)

Group X.
The Committee met again this day at twelve o'clock, Lord
Courtenay in the chair, and proceeded with the adjourned in-

quirk• into
THE LONDON AND YORK RAILWAY.

Mr. T. Walker, of the firm of B. W. Cooke and Co., bankers,
at Loncaster, examined by Mr. Dension—The London and York
line would confer considerable advantage on the town of Don.
caster. The inhabitants were all favourable to the scheme.
The London and York line would not only enable the mer-
chants and traders to keep their present trade, but it wculd
materially increase that trade. There were three meetings held
at Doncaster in favour of the line. The first was not so
strongly in favour of it as the last two meetings. The
second meeting was held on the sth of March last, and the
feeling was unanimous in favour of the undertaking. The
last meeting was held on the 17th of March, which was sub-
sequent to the report of the Beard of Trade reporting against
tLe line. The town was in a great state of excitement.
Never remembered so strong a feeling in favour of any other
public unde.itakiug. The meeting came to very strong reso-
lutions, and the town resolved to memorialise the Board of
Trade on the subject. The London and York was the only line
that could confer advantage on Doncaster. It was not unfavour-
able in any one point. There is a sweeping extension of an-
other line intended, which is known as the Leeds and Selby,
and the Direct North Midland line. It would cross several

important thoroughfares, which would greatly impede the
traffic of the highway and endanger the safety of the public.
That line would not confer anything like the advantage of
the London and York line.

Cross-examined by Mr. TALBOT—Between Selby and
Rotherham there was a considerable traffic. There
are coaches from Doncaster to and from Swinton and
Sheffield. The railways, however, left them but a very few
coaches. Never took a leading part in favour of a line be-
tween Gainsborough and Swinton. Attended a meeting in
1844, at Gainsborough. It was a meeting called for the pur-
pose offorwarding aline of railway from Gainsborough, there.
by connecting that place, the city of Lincoln and Doncaster,
with the North Midland Railway at Swinton. Did not
support resolutions passed at the meeting. Was sent there
to watch the proceedings on the part of the Town Council of
Doncaster. Did not go there in a postchaise—went on his
own horse, and alone.
Mr. TALuoT—You say you took no part in the proceedings ;
now, is not this extract from the local paper a correct report,
as it more materially affects you :
" William Sharpe, Esq., moved—' That the verbal report
made to this meeting, by George Stephenson, Esq , of a line
of railway from Gainsborough, southward to the city of
Lincoln, and westward by Doncaster to Swinton on the
North Midland Railway, be approved and adopted by this
meeting.'
" Mr. Stark seconded the motion, and in doing so recited
some of the preliminary proceedings referred to by the
Chairman, and in which he, Mr. S., with others, had taken
an active part. After so much labour, to see So respectable
a meeting afforded him great satisfaction. He believed not
only that the railway would be of great service to the town,
but that it would be the only means of saving it from that
decay with which it was threatened, and which had already
commenced.

" Mr. Bellwood thought the present meeting was prema-
ture; that Gainsborough had no right to take a decided step
until Lincoln bad pronounced in favour of one or other of the
lines, and he moved as an amendment, that a Committee be
appointed to watch the proceedings of the various railway
projects connected with Gainsborough.
" John Walker, Esq., banker, of Doncaster, claimed the
attention of the meeting.
" Chairman—Are you going to second the motion?
" Mr. Walker—No, Sir John.—(Laughter.)
" Mr. Bellwood—The town is not here. The meeting has
not been properly convened.
" Chairman—lt has been advertised. _

" 3.lr7i3Tii;ooa=ii is self-elected.—(Laughter.)
" Chairman (pleasantly)—Surely the gentlemen here can
pledge themselves if they choose, to any particular line. The
meeting is not illegal, I presume?
" Mr. Walker—l understand Mr. Stephenson to say there
are two points of junction with the North Midland proposed,
the one at Darfield, the other at Swinton. I would suggest
that it be at or near Swinton.
" Edward Sandars, Esq., supported the proposition, which
was approved by the meeting.
" Mr. Stephenson, in reply to Mr. Walker, said he proposed
Darfield with the view of making a more direct communica-
tion with the Manchester arid Leeds, and entirely to obviate
the necessity for the Lincoln and Wakefield line. Taking
the interests of all parties into consideration, it is their
interest to go to Darfield instead of Wakefield.
" The Chairman—The resolution now stands at or near
Swinton.'
" Mr. Stephenson—lf the other line is persevered in, we
cannot go to Darfield. But I want to do away with that line
altogether.
" The resolution, as amended, being adopted."
I believe you will allow that to be a fair report.
Witness—lt is correct, as far as I can remember.
Mr. TALBoT—I believe the press materially increased that
excitement of the town of Doncaster which yeu told us had
taken place after the report of the Board of Trade against
the London and York line? Witness—l cannot say, I be-
lieve they write about it.
Mr. TALBOT—I believe so, too—they keep the steam up
pretty fairly. Is not one of your partners in the bank at
Doncaster in the habit of writing for one of the local papers ?
Witness—l believe he does now and then, I can't say po-
sitively.
Mr. TALBOT—No doubt he throws in a spicy leader or so
now and then. Are you not the bankers of the London and
York ? Witness—We have been, but there is no account
now in our hands.—(Laughter.)
The witness was briefly cross-examined by Mr. cocKuurot
on behalf of the Direct Northern scheme.
Another witness was then called ; but, after a few minutes'
examination, the Committee adjourned till Monday.

SPORTING IN TELLIGEN CE
(FROM OUR CORRESPONDDENT.)

The Newmarket Second Spring Meeting was productive of
more sport than was anticipated. The fields were respectable
in number, and the races well contested. Alice Hawthorn's
place in the Suffolk Stakes was rather unaccountable, con-
sidering the manner in which she was backed, and I must
say I was much surprised at it. The distance I suppose was
not far enough for her to choke off the light weights, still I
imagined even with 9st. 91b. she had pace in her enough to
make them all safe. However I must not complain, as
Queen Mab, which I selected for a winner, in the event of
Alice not going, or winning, finished two lengths in front of
all the others,—thus confirming the opinion I expressed of
her merits. Prologue, I wrote on Monday, would beat all the
three-year-olds ; he did so, and was placed third. The
matches and sweepstakes came off exactly as I anticipated.
For a wonder the result of the Rowley Mile Plate made no
alteration in the Derby betting.
The Mauchester Meeting furnished sport of an excellent
character. I am convinced in a few years these races will
equal Chester in importance. By a reference to my pre-
vious letter it will be seen I had not miscalculated the merits
of the horses engaged in the various stakes. For the Gold
Cup and Race-course Cup I was first and second with the
Best of Three, Hooton, Philip, and David. For the Filly
Stakes and Keasal Stakes I was also first with Marian
Ramsay, while for the Free Handicap and Victoria Stakes
I was second with Ambition and Thalia. While the Best of
Three turned out as I said he would, the best of those
engaged in the Broughton Stakes.
The near approach of the Derby, and the announcement
of so many Derby Sweeps to be drawn next week, induces
me to think an analysis of the performances of those horses
now in the market may not prove unacceptable or uninte-
resting. To this year's Derby there are 140 subscribers,
thirteen less than to the preceding one. The field, I imagine,
will not consist of above 22 or 23, and will number in it
Idas, Weatherbit, Cobweb colt, Newsmonger, Pam, Old
England, Alarm, Wood Pigeon, Miss Whip colt, Doleful,
Titmouse, Gwalior, by Samercand, Sutlej, The Libel, Pan-
tasa, Mentor, Cabin-boy, Worthless, Young Eclipse, Minikin
colt, Winchester, Freeman, and perhaps Clear-the-Way.
Besides these, above twenty other horses have been backed
occasionally, so that the betters round have no great reason
to complain.
As a matter of course, I commence with the favourite.
Idas is a bay colt, by Liverpool, out of Marpessa, and the
property of Lord Stradbroke. He came into the market im-
mediately after Evenus won the Cambridgeshire, and during
the winter was quietly backed at 16 to 1 to win a large stake.
Just previous to the Craven Meeting an idea of his merits
seems to have been discovered, for he rose to 9 to 1, and
after he had walked over for a 100 sovs. Sweepstakes, and
defeated Wood Pigeon, as little as 5 to 1 was taken about
him. At the First Spring Meeting he won the Two Thou-
sand Guineas Stakes in a canter, beating Worthless, Win-
chilsea, Wood Pigeon, and Paultons. As Worthless had won
twice at Bath, and Winchilsea carried off the two Riddles-
worths and the Column, Idas at once rose to 2 to 1, at
which price he has been backed for avery large sum of money.
For the information of those who have not seen him, I add
that he stands full sixteen hands, and combines with beau-
tiful symmetry great muscle and powerful limbs. His stride
too is as extraordinary as his temper is good. He is trained
by Ludlow, Lord Stradbroke's private trainer, who has ex-
cellent means of trying his capabilities with Evenus, con-
fessedly the speediest horse of the day for a mile and three-
quarters. Idas's party is, I admit, a small one,
but consists of the aristocracy of the ring, such
as Captain Rous (the best handicapper and match-
maker in England), the Duke of Bedford, &c.,—all
of whom have backed him freely. As I shall treat
of the Derby again I shall say nothing now about his chance,
but merely observe that if Nat is unable to ride him George
Edwards will have the mount, and those who'recollect how
he won the Derby with Phosphorous, beating Caravan and
Arthur Pavis by a head, must admit he could not be in better
hands.

Weatherbit, by Sheet Anchor, out of Miss Letty, the
winner of the Oaks in 1837, has never yet appeared in public,
consequently his good qualities can only be a matter of con-
jecture. From the manner, however, in which he has been
supported by his owner, Mr. Gully—confessedly one of the best,
ifnot the very best judge of racing in England, and the excellent
schoolmaster he has in St. Lawrence, people should be care-
ful how they oppose him. He is considered to be the best
of John Day's lot, and will be ridden by young John. His
present price is 8 to 1. Mr. A. W. Hill's The Libel next
claims my attention. He is got by Pantaloon, out of Pas-
quinade by Camel, was at 40 to 1 until he started for the
Cheshire St. Ledger, when from the clever manner in which
he defeated his horses, he rose to 11 to 1. He then went back
to 16 to 1, but rallied again, and has plenty of friends at 11
to 1. He is trained by %Yadlow, the trainer of Intrepid,
Sweetmeat and the Ironmaster, and from the manner in
which he brought these animals to the post, I have no doubt
but that The Libel's condition will be such as to give satis-
faction to his backers. I now come to Pam, the property of
Lord Chesterfield, and trained by Taylor, his Lordship's
stud-groom. He is brother to E 0, and is got by Emelius
out of Ophelia ; has never started but once, when he beat
Lord Glasgow's colt, by Velocipede, out of Mies Whip, at
Doncaster, by a neck. I do not think, however, that this
performance is good enough to warrant his being backed even
at 15 to 1. Mr. Gully's Old England, by some thought to be
better than Weatherbit, finds supporters at 17 to 1. He is
by Mulatto out of Fortress; ran exceedingly well as a two-

year•old, having won the New Stakes, beating a neat
.111 Strt!:cs at Nowmarket Jt,ly Zileaini4;—tue
Steppingly Stakes at the Second October Meeting—and a
Sweepstakes in the Houghton Meeting; in each race beating
colts of some character ; but I hear from very good au-
thority that his legs are not in as good order as they should
be, and that has been the reason of his not starting for all
race previ( us to the Derby. He is matched against Ala"'
for 500 snvs. at the Newmarket Second October Meetingi
giving hina sibs., which looks as if Mr. Gully did not think
lightly of his merits.
On Monday I shall continue my Derby analysis, and touch
on the Gorhambury Meeting,
London, May 18.