The Sun.
London, England, 1845-05-24 00:00:00

HARROGATE AND RIPON JUNCTION RAILWAY.

The Committee then proceeded to hear evidence in support of
the Harrogate and Ripon line.

Mr. Lawson, M.P., examined by Mr. RoarNsoN—ls intimately
acquainted with the country between Harrogate, and Knaresbo-
rough and Thirsk. The Harrogate and Ripon Junction is the only
line that affords proper accommodation to Boroughbridge. The
Harrogate and Ripon: Junction goes close to Boroughbridge
and Knaresborough. The Leeds and Thirsk line will
not afford accommodation to Knaresborough. He presided
at a meeting at Boroughbridge last autumn, and, with the excep-
tion of Lord De Grey's agent, the meeting was unanimous in fa..
your of the Harrogate and Ripon line. There was a private
meeting at Knaresborough, attended by many shareholders in the
Leeds and Think scheme. There were a number of workmen
employed by shareholders in the Leeds and Thirsk scheme present.
The meeting was in favour of the Leeds and Thirsk line, but from
what he had heard from various inhabitants of Knaresborough, he
thought they were in favour of the Harrogate and Ripon line.
Cross.examined—He considered the Harrogate and Ripon line
would afford the greatest accommodation. If a branch of the
Leeds and Thirsk line were brought into the town of Knaresbo-
rough, he did not consider it would be so good as the Harrogate
and Ripon line, because a branch was never so good as being on
the main line. Had said that he should not object to vote for
the Leeds and Thirsk line, and if the Committee approved of
it, he should have no objection to vote for the Leeds and Thirsk
Bill if it came before Parliament. His own estate would be
benefited more by the Harrogate and Ripon line than by the Lecis
and Think line.

Cross•examinc,l by Mr. Horn for Lord De Grey, and for the
Church Fenton line also. Lord De Grey's property was near to
that of witness, and as far as his estates were concerned, he had
the same reason for supporting the Harrogate end Ripon line that
witness had. Lord De Grey was not a resident there. Lord De
Grey's property. however, was nearer to the Leeds and Thirsk line
than witness's estates.

By the CHAIRMAN—The nearest railroad to us at present is the
North of England. It is seven miles distant.
Cross-examination resumed—There have been two petitions
from Knaresborough, one each way.
Re-examined by Mr. ROBINSON—There is considerable commu-
nication between York and Ripon.

John Hodgson produced the returns of the towns within five
miles of each side of the Harrogate and Ripon line, and of the
Leads and Thirsk line. The population along the Leeds and
Thirsk line, from Thirsk to Harrogate, is 28,82:1. From Thirsk to
Harrogate, along the Harrogate and Ripon line, the population is
33,464. From Harrogate to Leeds, along the Leeds and Thirsk line,
the population is 11,160. From Harrogate to Leeds, along the pro.
posed North of England extension branch, the population is 16,617.
Mr. Basil Wood, examined by Mr. ROBINSON—Is a magistrate
of the North and West Riding, residing at Aldborough. The pro.
posed Harrogate and Ripon Junction would afford great accommo.
modation to the district through which it passes. The proposed
Leeds and Think line would not afford anything like so much
accommodation to the district. The Harrogate and Ripon Junction
would afford facilities for supplying the district with superior coal
from the north. Knaresborough and Boroughbridge have both
fallen off in consequence of deficient railway accommodation.
Cross-examined by Mr. OVEREND—.It certainly would be for the
advantage of Ripon to be situated on a main line, rather than upon
a branch. Witness resides close by Boroughbridge.
Cross-examined by Mr. HOPE—There is a good water com-
munication at present between Boroughbridge and Ripon.
Mr. John Howgy, is a land-agent and surveyor of Knariss-
borough, and well acquainted with the district, and assisted In
making the population returns which have been given in evidence.