The Sun.
London, England, 1845-06-24 00:00:00

LCZTDON A.WI:I CROYDON (ATMOSPHERIC)

LINE.

Mr. Tat sax observed, that before entering into the examination
of witnesses on the part of the London and Croydon Company, he
wished to point out to the Committee the fact that there were now
two distinct matters before them, viz., the line from London to
Croydon, Chatham, Chilham, and various parts of the north of
Kent, and a project for an extension from the principal line to
Orpington. There were also two distinct Bills for the principal
line, one for that part of the line between London and Chatham,
and another for that part between Chatham and Chilham. He
thought this observation necessary to prevent confusion, as he in-
tmded to examine witnesses with regard to all parts of the tine at
.once. Mr. Talbot then called

Sir John Lovet, who stated that he was a landowner at High
1:1;/..,, in the parish of Down, North Kent. lie had carefully ex-
amined that part of the proposed line which passed through that
parish, and had a very favourable opinion of it. It passed
principally through land of a gocd quality, but which required ma-
nuring. Manure was very dear in consequence of the expense of
carriage. There was very little manure to be get in the neigh.
bourheod, and it was necessary to obtain it from other parts of the
country. He himself had imported guano for manure. Coal was
very dear, and the poor of the neighbourhood were very much di s.
tressed by the difficu'ty of obtaining it. The high price was en-
tirely caused by the expense of carriage. Coal was now obtained
from Deptford, but if the proposed line were formed it could be ob_
tained from Chatham. The cheaper conveyance would make a re.
eduction of at least ss. per ton. Gr.at benefit would be conferred
sasa the inhabitants of Down by the cheat, conveyance of agricul-
catnal produce. This line would intersect no large property, but it
passed by a great many.

Mr. WIIATELEY, who appeared for Lady Darnley, a petitioner
aguinst the proposed line, cross-examined the witness at some
length.

Mr. WittmoaE, on the part of the London and Croydon Com-
PanY, then called

Mr. Ward, a landowner at Down, who corroborated Sir John
Lovet's evidence.
Mr. MERREWETHER, on the part of the South-Eastern line, then
stated that Mr. Peto was now present, and was one of the witnesses
whom he wished to examine on the subject of the estimates of the
South-Zastern line. tie wished to examine Mr. Peto at once, but
would not press it if the Committee objected.
The CHAIRMAN assented, and
Mr. Peto, of the firm of Grissel and Peto, was accordingly
.called and examined. He had examined the line, proposed by Mr.
~Nrignolies, and had estimated the expense of constructing it. His
estimates were founded on the plans and seetions of Mr. Vignolles.
The total expense of the proposed line, exclusive of land, stations,
and sidings, would be 1,300,0001. He could not state the average
expenze per mile, as he had not Considered the subject, but had
formed his estimate for each item separately. lie had omitted the
three items of land, stations, and sidings, as he had no data. He
had only estimated the expense of works.
Mr. Peto was then ,:ross-examined by Mr. WHATELRY and Mr.
Sergeant SIIEE.
Wu.smax then resumed the case on the part of the London
and Croydon line, and called several witnesses to prove the benefit
tnh inhabitants that part of Kent through which it passed, and the
:inferiority of the South_Eastern and North Kent lines.
Mr. Thompson, proprietor of paper-mills at Bromley, spoke to
the advantage to the paper manufactories in the neighbourhood
which would ensue from the formation of the proposed line.
Other witnesss were then called, and spoke to the necessity for
such a line, and the superiority of this over the South_Eastern and
North Kent lines.
Mr. G. Boutcher, and Mr. Ring, coal merchants at Rochester,
spoke to the effect the proposed line would have oli the coal trade,
andto the reduction in the price of coal which would ensue from
the cheaper mode of carriage.
town,
was Battie, landowner at Rochester, latfeavmouaryor
of
of
the
thatpro
ps
was then examined, and gave evidence in
ed
Jine. Being cross examined, he stated that Cobham Hall and
Park, the residence of Lady Darn, eff, was the most beautiful part
At this point Mr. Smith objected to thethirseceevpitdi
eonnceofctohnitsaienveid-
slence, and it was ruled that, inasmuch as
matter in such a shape as to constitute new evidence, it was
inad-
missible ; but Mr. Smith, having received an assurance that the
tables should be handed to his clients for examination and dis-
proof; the statements were allowed to remain.
Mr, siamuda was then recalled, and stated that be had beard

The CHAIRMAN thought it was unnecessary to examine the
witnesses alluded to.

Mr. WILMORE consented to omit the evidence. He did not In.
tend to call any witnesses as to the line between Chatham and
Chilharn, as it would be exactly the same as that of the South_
Eastern line, the Croydon Company having adopted the sarveys of
the South-Eastern.

Mr. MERREWETHER said that it was impossible to find a better
line than the South-Eastern.

Mr. Witmotts said that the only advantage on the part of the
Croydon line was that it was atmospheric, and the South Eastern
locomotive.

After the examination of several other witnesses on points of no
public interest, the Committee adjourned at four o'clock.

GROUP GG.
SCOTCH RAILWAYS.

THE GLASGOW, NEIMSTON, AND BARR,-

HEAD LINE.

The Committee, consisting of Mr. Evans (Chairman), Mr. New-
degate, Mr. Muntz, and Mr. Miles, sat at twelve o'clock, in the
Guildhall, Westminster.

Mr. HILDYARD opened the case for the promoters of the above
Bill, and proceeded to refer to the importance of Barrhead and
Neilston as a manufacturing district, and to the facilities which the
proposed railway would give to the manufacturers there, in their
transit to Glasgow. The total length of the railway was somewhat
above eight miles, and the estimate for its construction was
142,0001. The promoters, conscious that an established main line
could more efficiently work out a short line, like the present,
had entered into an agreement with the Greenock Company to lease
it at a yearly sum of 7,5001., which would give on the sunk
capital, a dividend of eight per cent. The gradients were very
favourable, the steepest on the distance of six miles being only 1 in
100, which in the remaining distance there was another of 1 in 74,
but that was unimportant if they considered the nature of the traffic.
The curves were also favourable, and the landlords on the line,
were to a man, anxious to promote it. The Learned Counsel
then went at great length into the nature of the
agreement between the Paisley and Ardrossan Canal,
and the Glasgow and Paisley Railway Company, in which the
former undertook not to carry passengers, thereby sacrificing a
trade of 400,0001. a year, they, in return being allowed to carry
all the goods traffic between Glasgow and the Paisley district ;
and he contended, that this was an agreement which threw into
the shade the public interest, and that, therefore, another Com-
pany who came forward on public grounds, had a fair right to be
supported by Parliament in their patriotic endeavours. He should
bring proof in support of his allegations, and having done so, he
trusted that the Honourable Committee would feel it their
duty to support this Bill, as the best which could be adopted
for giving public facilities to this important district.
Mr. Crum, of Thornlie-bank, was the first witness called, and he
stated that tl.e second station on the proposed line would come
within half a mile of Thornlie.bank, which place was a little above
Glasgow. The works there had been established above a century.
They employed 1,200 people, the horse power was 392, and they
used 19,000 tons of coal per annum, and exported and received
8,473 tons of goods. The railway would be a great advantage.
Mr. P. M. Stuart, M. P, was called to prove the feeling in the
county with respect to the rival lines. The direct line was the
favoured one.
The Committee then adjourned at four o'clock.

GROUP K.
NORWICH DISTRICT.

This Committee resumed to-day at the usual hour, the Mem.
bers present being Viscount Sandon (Chairman), and Messrs.
Martin, Cobden, and Ricardo. Sir Benjamin Hall, Bart., has
been prevented from attending since he met the late revere ac-
cident.

Mr. ALEXANDER, Q.C., applied to the Committee to withhold
its formal negative of the Bury and Thetford branch of the Nor-
wich and Brandon line, which course was intimated on Friday
last, until they had heard the case of the Bury and Cambridge
line, to he proceeded with on Wednesday next. The Learned
Counsel contended that the evidence then adduced would mate-
rially affect the decision of the Committee, and he merely suggested
the postponement for the better furtherance of justice.
The CHAIRNI%N, after some slight hesitation, acceded to the ap-
plication.

Mr. COPPOCK, the solicitor attending on behalf of the in-
habitants of Norwich, previous to the Committee discussing the
clauses of the Norwich and Dereham Bill, applied for a week's
postponement, to enable the corporation to meet and consider their
course.

The Committee, considering tha delay useless, proceeded to the
discussion of the clauses, several of which were passed without
opposition. In the progres, of discussion a few unimportant alte-
rations were made in the clauses, and the Committee adjourned at
four o'clock until Wednesday, at twelve, then to proceed with the
Cambridge and Bury Bill.