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

GROUP L.

Tire Committee resumed their inquiry this morning, Mr. E. B.
Denison in the chair, when
Mr. Bonham Coster was called. He stated that he was a large
proprietor of land in the neighbourhood of Petersfield, possessing
property in East and West Mein, Liss, and Maple Durham, and
also in the neigbourhood of Portsmouth, and in the Isle
of Wight. The country about his property was decidedly
over-timbered in consequence of the difficulty of getting it away.
Among this timber, there was much that was eligible for the pur.
poses of the navy ; and if this atmospheric line were to be formed,
there would be a great advantage to all the landed proprietors in
the country. He had no shares at present, but he was quite
willing to take them in order to give his sanction to the line. The
fares on the South-Western line were dearer, according to his
experience, than any other line, for he had paid the other day
precisely- the same sum in travelling from Leamington, for 103
in:les, which he had to pay for travelling the 77 miles to
Southampton. For all purposes he conce.ved that the atmos-
phe.-ic line would be the best for the country at all the inter-
mediate stations.
Sir William Magnay stated that he had a large manufactory at
Chitlford, near Albury, between Dorking and Godalming, and was,
in addition to a large business on his hands, a Government con-
tractor for a considerable amount. The Government contracts
were objects of great competition, and the question Cli carriage made
a most important difference. In consequence of the cheapness of
the carriage, and the facilities that the manufacturers pos.
sessed, it cnabled them to compete with the makers in the south

to such an extent that he had been induced to close one of his

mills and get part of his supplies from the north. The distance of
the terminus at Vauxhall entirely prevented any advantage from
the- South. Western line. His carriage amounted to 1,0001. a
year, and he should immediately increase his power it this line
were to be formed. They used water power, but steam was the
means by which they dried their paper, and they consumed a con-
siderable quantity of coals in boiling their rags. He had also a
:mill near Rickmansworth, iA Hertfo:dshire, but had never used the
:Birmingham Railway, from which his property was about four
miles distant. It was of importance to him where the station was
placed, and he believed that the atmospheric line would pass by his
mill head.

To the cross-examination by Mr. Cocxauare, Sir William
stated that he was not aware that the line had been changed to
aivoid Mr. Drummond's property, and if it did not pass near him,
aud there was not a station at Albury, the whole of his evidence
would fall to the ground. If there were no station at Wonersh,
and if there were only stations at Godalming and Guildford, he
would be better as he was ; but, if there were a station at Sheer,
.or at the south of Mr. Drummond's park, it would be a
g,-eat advantage to him. They sent all their goods to
London by waggon, but got their coals by water. They were now
27 miles from London, and he expected that the atmospheric line
would shorten the distance by two miles.
Mr., John Sparks, a landowner at Wonersh, and in three ad-
joining parishes—He held about 700 acres in his own hands,
and had also a tan yard, from which goods, at the rate of
.a.bout two tons a week, were conveyed to and from London,
.asst he would save about half of his present expense
carriage if the atmospheric line was made. He sent
ri.o.-rs 40 to 50 beasts to the London market, and 500 or 600 sheep
nor-hag the year. He used Guildford market for his wheat and
Godauoing for barley, and if a direct communication were opened
he shout,l send a larger quantity of corn to each place. In the
neighbourh ood of Cranley there was a considerable growth
,f umber, which was now sent by water carriage, but was
slow and unc,rtain, and they did not enjoy the advantage which
they ought to pot'sess. The terminus at London-bridge would cer.
tainly be the best.
To the cross-msm;nation of Mr. H. SMITH, Mr. Sparks stated
that the feeling of the landowners was certainly not against the
atmospheric line. He now paid 255. a ton.for carriage, and ex-
pected to save one-half by the railway. His means of conveyance
were now waggons, although there was a canal within about two
sidles, which gave them water conveyance to Guildford. He sent
his cattle and sheep to market, partly on foot, and partly by rail,
the &I-Terence between the projects being about three miles.
Mr. Samuel Lovegrove, at Gewhur4, near Abinger, a charcoal
hu rner and timber dealer, having a tyle_yard in his hands, stated
ram` he experienced considerable difficulty in getting his goods to
the London market. He sent about 10,000 sacks of charcoal to the
Loudon market at a cost of from 3d. to 4d. a sack. The whole
weight might be about 200 tons, and he sent also about 150 tons
of timber, and he would save a considerable sum if the atmos-
pheric railway was made. He had lost an order of between 6001.
.and 70u1. lees than a fortnight ago, in consequence of the carriage.
For this purpose the Guildford and Chichester line would be per-
fectly useless to him, and, though the atmospheric line was at
some little distance, yet, in the event of there being a station at
Albury, he would obtain all the advantage he desired.
Mr. Rose, a timber-merchant for the last 26 years at Dorking,
stated that the feeling of the people at and about that place were
decidedly in favour of the atmospheric line. He sent between
six hundred and seven hundred tons of hoops to London every
year at a cost of 14s. to 15s. a ton, while by the railway they
would be sent at not more than ss. or Gs. a ton. He believed that
there were not less than 200,000 or 300,000 quarters of oats
brought from London at a cost of 2s. a quarter. There was alto
a large quantity of oil-cake and other feed for cattle sent. Commer-
cial goods now cost a guinea a ton for carriage, and ha would save
50/. to 2001. a year. The terminus at Lohdon.hridge would also
be tar more convenient than the other. He had bee:, i i favour of
the proposed Brighton line, but that would take them a long way
round about.

To the re-examination of Mr. RAWLINSON, the witness stated
that there had always been a considerable trade between Leather-
head, Ewell, Epsom, and Dorking, and there was but little inter_
course w,th the eastern country. All the coaches, waggons, and
other public c.,nveyances passed by the route thi oogh Leatherhead.
He knew that coals were frequently to be obtained at Portsmouth
at from 165. to ISs. a ton, and certainly much cheaper than they
were to be had in London.
Mr. Ede, postmaster and wholesale perfumer at Dorkin!, stated
his impression that the formation of the railway would materi.
ally increase the business of the town and neighbourhood.
Dorking had formerly been a favourite place for the residence of
gentlemen in the City, but it had been superseded by other places
which had better railway communication. He had personally
suffered considerably from the want of a railway, and he did not
think tha: the Brighton Railway could satisfy the requirements of
the country. Certainly if this railway were made he could double
the amount of his trade.
'dr. White, an auctioneer and estate agent at Dorking, stated
that, until within the last five or six years, there had been a great
accession of strangers during the summer, two coaches extra
being put on the road on Mondays and Saturdays, but that
but that circumstance had made but little addition to the
trade of Dorking. The property there had consequently
greatly declined in value since the opening of the lines
to Southampton and Brighton, awl he had now several houses
which were at present not likely to be let, and others, for which he
was now negotiating, and which were to be let or not, as this Bill
was obtained or lost. By private inquiries, he had learned that the
amount of traffic was more than 23,000/. With respect to coals,
if the communication were to be opened to the south, they would
get them very much cheaper and in greater abundance. He
thought that the line from Iteigate to Dorking would
not give them the same advantage on the atmospheric line, and
the whole of the feeling of the town was in favour of the latter.
He had taken the population within three miles of both the proposed
lines, and he found that within that distance there was a population
of 135,061 on the atmospheric line, and 117,966 on the Guilford
line- Between Epsom and Godalming there were upwards of 170
gentlemen's seats, the whole country being a continual park ground,
the distance being about 21 or 22 miles.
To the cross-examination of Mr. M. SMITH, the witness stated
that tie did not think that the visitors of the town would be ab-
stracted by the coast if they had a railway to the town. In one
4..nad in
tarkce he had taken the population from Epsom to Portsmouth,
the other from Guilford, and he had included Chichester,
hut had left out both Petworth, and Midhurst.
Mr. James Pranks, a miller and farmer at Albury, stated that he
sent from seventy or eighty sacks of flour to Leatherhead, Dorking,
and some ,in London, and he thought that the London_
bridge terminus would be infinitely more convenient to
,a) him, and that railway communication would be very largely in-
creased by the proposed line.
Mr. George Dewdney, a miller at Dorking, stated that if this
line were made, they would save
l 6
three-fourths of the expense of
earriage.
They now paid about s. a ton for carriage, while the
ailw ay would carry for 4s. They sent about 4SO sacks a week, and
Lseono
whey could send SOO or 900 to
n, and he believed that they
would do so. The Dorking flour had a very high character in the
Lswrdon market, but the millers around Dorking king were undersold by
the millers at Guildford, who could get flour to London for 6s.
a ton.

To the inquiries of the CHAIRMAN, the witness replied that
Dorking nas eight miles from the Reigate station, the same dis-
.l2, nee which Guilford was from Woking, and it was certainly not
cot irely owing to railway communication, but tho Guildford people
had thQ advantage of water carriage, the cost of which had been re.
duce since the railways were opened. And if they had this
'e rail-
way, .- k Lelieved they could compete with the steam.power on the
Thames; hut lie had now lcst three or four very good customers,
from the want of conveyance.

To the inquiry of Mr. OSWALD , the witness stated that the di:-
twice from Dorking by Epsom was about 24 miles, and by Rei.
gate 26 or 27 miles.
Mr. iioih well, a lime-burner and coal.merchant for the last 30
years at Dorking, stated that he employed from 25 to 30 horses
i n carrying lime to London and bringing back coals. For the last
:three or tour years he had consumed about 10,000 tons of coals,
lout the trade had declined durimg the last nine or ten years, not-
withstanding the high repute which the Dorking lime had in Lon-
don. Coals also were very dear at Dorking, and he believed that if
thjs railway were made the trade would be recovered, and he felt
assured that the atmospheric line was the best tor the town and
neighbourhood. There was a considerable quaotity I t grocery
goods, Limber, stone, and slates brought to Dorking tor the
.aupply of ,the adjoining districts. He would bring all his coals by