The Sun.
London, England, 1845-06-07 00:00:00

GROUP V.

THE IYLELNCHESTER, CHESTERFIELD, AND
SHEFFIELD, and the ALTEIMATIVE LINE.
The Committee met this morning at half.past eleven, in room
No. 9. Present—The O'Conor Don (Chairman), Sir Denham
Norreys, Sir John Rae Reid, Mr. Davies, and Mr. Hope Johnstone.
Witnesses were called by Mr. JOU/MONA, on the part of the
alternative line.

Jehnn Woodhouse, mineral surveyor and mineral agent,
living near Ashby-de.la.Zouch, had great experience in the
various coal-fields in the neighbourhood of Sheffield,
both on the line from Chesterfield by Dronfield, and a►so
on the line by Woodhouse-mile (the alternative line). He con-
sidered that the Dronfield coal-seam was not superior to the Stave-
ley coal, and he was quite aware that no converting coal could be
found in the former quarter. The nearest point to Sheffield in the
direction of Dronfield, at which coal could be received, was some
six miles distant, and, consequently, more removed than those upon
the other line. He thought the alternative was the better of the
two for the purposes of the town of Sheffield.

Benjamin Scholefield gave evidence that the proposed line would
injure the Canal Company's property in Sheffield, and the markets
in their vicinity to an extent which no compensation could meet.
That injury would not be inflicted by the alternative line.

Mr. Fowler, C. E., was examined to show that the quantities of
cuttings and embankments had been altogether misstated, and that
therefore the estimate of construction would be very far exceeded.
The witness entered into the details of such cuttings in suppart of
his allegation. He was cross-examined by Mr. Bi►xes, but did
not in the slightest degree alter the opinion he had already given.
Mr. Swanick, C. E., gave similar evidence.
Mr. Stephenson, and other professional gentlemen, followed
with precisely similar evidence.
The Committee adjourned till to. morrow.

GROUP W.
IMPORTANT DECISION.

WAREFIELD, PONTEFRACT, AND GOOLE
RAILWAY, AND BRAYTON AND GOOLE.
The Committee to whom the above lines were referred re-assem.
bled this morning at twelve o'clock, Mr. Pakington in the chair.
The Hon. Mr. Maxwell, the Hon. Mr. Bouverie, Mr. Whitmore,
and Lord Seymour were also present.
Shortly after our admission

The CHAIRMAN ordered the room to be cleared, that the Cora-
mittee might resume their deliberations as to the decision they
should come to on the competing lines.

The Committee remained in deliberation for nearly an hour, and
on our readmission

The CHAIRMAN announced that the: Committee had decided
that the preamble of the

WAKEFIELD, PONTEFRACT, AND GOOLE,
was proved ; and that, the preamble of the

BRAYTON AND GOOLE RAILWAY

was not proved.

The CHAIRMAN then said, that if there was any one present on
behalf of Mr. Smith (one of the dissentient landholders on the
Wakefield, Pontefract, and Goole line), the Committee would be
happy to give every consideration to any clause he could suggest,
having for its object the protection of Mr. Smith's property. The
Committee, however, did not consider that they would be justified
either um rejecting or postponing the consideration of the Wakefield,
Pontefract, and Goole line, in consequence of the annoyance to
which Mr. Smith would be subjected by that line passing contiguous
to his house and lauds.

The CHAIRMAN then said that the Committee would now pro-
ceed to the consideration of the several clauses of the Wakefield,
Pontefract, and Goole Railway.

Mr. WEB/TER, on the part of the opponents of the Doncaster
and Goole line, asked for leave to apply for the Speaker's warrant
to compel the production of certain books and documents belong-
ing to the river Don Navigation Company.
Mr. CaownEa, on behalf of the promoters of the Bill, opposed
the application, and after some discussion it was refused.
The Committee were then engaged up to four o'clock settling
the rates of the different descriptions of goods that were to be
conveyed on the Wakefield, Pontefract, and Goole line.

GROUP X.
LONDON AND YORK, LINE.

At the sitting of the Committee this day
Mr. AUSTIN said he understood the Committee had arranged to
take up, after the disposal of the London and York line, the Lin.
coin and Direct Northern. He would ask, would it not be equally
convenient to the Committee to take t.p the Midland and Eastern
Counties ? By doing so it would be convenient to him, as he was
interested in them, and he believed no party Would be incon-
venienced.

The Cuarituati said the Committee would let him know in the
course of the day.

Mr. AUSTIN then proceeded to state the grounds of opposition
he was instructed to lay before the Committee on behalf of the
Archbishop of York. The Bishop's Palace was situated on the
river Ouse, and the bishopric was a benefice of very great anti-
quity ; he believed it dated its origin so far back as the reign of
Henry 111. He understood that the London and York line pro-
posed to pass within 450 yards of the palaee, and close to one of
the gardens, and the result would be, not only serious Injury to
that part of the property, but cause great inconvenience to
his Grace. He (Mr. Austin) would now proceed to call witnesses,
by which it would appear 'that the country around Bishopsthorpe
was so level, that a considerable deviation might be made in the
proposed line, by which the proposed innovation would be avoided,
while at the same time no additional expense to the company, or
inconvenience to the public, would be the consequence.
Mr. Birkenshaw, surveyor, was then called, at•.d his depositions
corroborated the statement of the Learned Counsel.

In his cross-examination, he said that the direct Northern
proposed to pass in a direction quite as objectionable as this.
Two other witnesses were examined to the same effect.
Mr. PAGET said he by no means meant to deny that much
personal inconvenience would be occasioned, not only to the
Archbishop of York by the direction taken by the London and
York line through Bishopthorpe, but to all other persons through
whose properties this line would pass, and this admix.
sion he had already made in respect to Lord Scar.
borough and Sir W. Milner, but then all he could say
was that the London and York Company wouid be ready to make
any concession to those parties consistent with public convenience.
With regard to the innovation on the private walk of the Arch-
bishop of York, he (Mr. P.) understood from Mr. Cubitt that a
deviation might be made by which this private road could be
avoided.

Messrs. Hounsefield and Co., coal.owners at Sheffield, objected
to the line, as it cut off the communication between their coal-pit
and the entrance to their yard.
Mr. BAINES next addressed the Committee on the merits of the
Sheffield and Lincolnshire line. He contended that the line sug-
gested by Mr. Cubitt, was a very circuitous line, and very un •
necessarily involving a destruction of propery, while the line he
(Mr. Baines) represented, proposed a comparatively straight line,
and did not at all involve an extensive removal of houses and other
pri►ate property.

Mr. PAGET contended that the opposition of his Learned Friend's
client amounted, in one word, to a claim for compensation, which
would be a question entirely for a jury.
Mr. HARDY appeared on behalf of Mrs. Smith, landowner, re-
siding near Wakefield, against the Doncaster and Wakefield branch
of the London and York scheme. The part his client complained of
was that which ran through his property from Okenshaw to Wake.
field, which spoiled the view and approach to his residence. Mr. Smith
had already sacrificed to the public convenience on two occasions,
namely, the Manchester and Leeds line, and the North Midland
line, both of which passed through his property. The Learned
Counsel then read a passage from the report of the Board of Trade,
by which it appeased that that body did net approve of the Don-
caster and Wakefield branch. He then went on to say that if this
line should be made, Mr. Smith would be completely hemmed in, as
this would form the base of the triangle of railroads through his
estate, and be a complete eyesore from his house.
_ _

Mr. Clarkson, land surveyor at Wakefield, supported Counsel's
statement.

CAMBRIDGE AND LINCOLN RAILWAY.
The CHAIRMAN here intimated that as the Committee proposed
to sit until five o'clock, the Learned Counsel who intended to open
the case for the Cambridge and Lincoln line had better be prepared.
Mr. WEBSTER said he would be prepared.
Mr. HILDVARD said the course he intended to pursue in reference
to the Cambridge and Lincoln line was this : he would commence
by placing his engineer, Mr. Rendall, forthwith in the witness box,
and r( serve his observations for the close of his case. But this he could
not do at present, as Mr. Rendall was at that moment being examined
as a witness before another Committee. if this Committee would,
therefore, adjourn slow, and meet to-morrow at eleven o'clock, he
would be prepared to proceed then.
The Committee agreed to do so and then adjourned.

SOUTH-WESTERN RAILWAY
COMPANY.

A special general meeting of the Proprietors of this Company
was held yesterday at the Nine Elms Station, Vauxhall, Wm.
Chaplin, Esq., Chairman of the Board of Directors, in the chair,
for the purpose of agreeing to the draft of the Bills which the Com-
pany have at present before Parliament.

The drafts of the following Bills were unanimously agreed t.
without discussion, namely, for a branch to Richmond, for the ex-
tension to Hungerford and Waterloo bridges, for the purchase of
the Guildford branch, and for the extension to Portsmouth.

The Dorset and Salisbury Railway Bill was not submitted, as ar.
rangements with the Woods and Forests Commissioners have not
been completed.

As far as that Bill was concerned, therefore, the meeting was
adjourned to this day week.

WAKEFIELD, PONTEFRACT, AND GOOLE RAILWAY.—
After a protracted struggle of three weeks between
the two great companies of the Manchester and Leeds
and York and North Midland, the preamble of this ling
of railway, which connects the east and west coast of
linglat,d, was to-day declared to be proved, and the
line promoted by the York and North Midland was
. .

ihrov;.n out. This is the first defeat which Mr. lludson
has sustained, and is likely very materially to affect his
favourite York line.

LONDON MECHANICS' INSTITUTION, SOUTHAMPTON-
BUILDINGS, WEDNESDAY NIGHT.—The eighty-sixth quarterly
meeting of members was held in the theatre of the Institute, Mr.
Birkheck, President, In the chair. Mr. 1114Farlane read the report.
During the last three months 142 new membersj oined, making a
total of 640, comprising 19 ladies; 166 books were given by
friends to the library, and the several classes were well attended.
The receipts, including a previous balance, amounted to 3231.,
which the expenditure exceeded by 91. ss. 10d. The outstanding
liabilities figured 2,0621. The report, in conclusion, stated that
in the ensuing quarter additional classes will be formed for music,
landscape.drawing, and elocution, and that Mr. Coulton intended
lecturing upon the poetry and genius of the late Thomas Hood.
MMail, isltlattoeryth
that
tttheer sB4
tfromh n iment, edb3.rthtehree,
were Overlandunder
Ppeeehe Russia,
orders for Madras, to be relieved with part of the 94th, daily ex-
d,T
Duke de Leuchtenberg, son-in-law of the Em-
ro ter of
is said to be the great personage expected at the
Russian Emboss), in Par*