The Sun.
London, England, 1845-05-06 00:00:00

PARLIAMEN TAR Y DIVISIONS.

(Front the Votes and Proceedings of the House of Comintons.)
FRIDAY, MAY 2.

MAYNOOTH COLLEGE BILL.-(IN THE COMMITTEE.)

Clause (And be it Enacted, that all and every the expense of pur-
chasing or providing the houses, buildings, lands, tenements, or
hereditaments necessary for the said College under the provisions of
this Act, and of erecting the necessary buildings for the same, and of
putting the said College into repair, and of fitting up and furnishing
the same and the buildings so to be erected, not exceeding in the
whole the sum of thirty thousand pounds, shall 14e discharged and
paid by the Commissioners of her 3lajesty's Treasury out of the
Consolidated Fund of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland) read a first time :—Question put, " That the Clause be read
a second time." The Committee divided

MAJORITY—AYES, 210.
Acland, Sir T. D. Esmonde, Sir T. Neville, Ralph
Acland, Sir T. D. Etwall, Ralph Newport, Viscount
A'Court, Captain Ferguson, Colonel Nicholl, John
Adderley, C. B. Ferguson, Sir R. Norreys, Sir D. J.
Aglionby, H. A. Fitzmaurice, W. Northland. Viscount
Ainsworth, Peter Fitzroy, Henry O'Brien, J.
Aldam, William Fitz williUm, G. W. O'Connell, M. J.
Archbold, Robert Flower, Sir J. O'Conor„Don
Arundel, Earl of Forster, Matthew °Tamil, R. H.
Bantle, Colonel Fox, C. R. Ord, William
Baine, Walter Frerri'mtle, Sir T. Owen, Sir John
Barkley, Henry French, F. Paget, Colonel
Baring, F. T. Gardner, J. D. Pakington, J. S.
Baring, W. B. Gaskell, J .31. Palmerston, Viscount
Barnard, E. G. Gladstone, W. E. Parker, John
Barrington, 'Viscount Gladstone, Captain Patten, .1 •W.
Barron, Sir ii. Glynne, Sir S. Peel, Sir Robert
Bell, Matthew Godson, Richard Peel, Jonathan
Bell, John Gordon, Captain Pennant, Colonel
Blackburne, J. I. Core, Montague Philips, G. R.
Idake, M. J. Gore, Robert Bigot, David
Bodkm, W. H. Goulbura, Henry Ponsouby, C. F. A.
Bolder°, H. G. Graham, Sir J. framed, W. T.
Hatfield, Beriah Granby, Marquis Pusey, Philip
Bowes, John Granger, T. C. Rawdon, Colonel
Bowles, Admiral Grey. Sir George Redington, T. N.
Bowrimt, Dr. Hale, rt. B. Reptou, G. W. J.
IsrainFlot:, 'f. W. Ilaliord, sir 11. Recite, E. B.
Browne, W. Hamilton, W. J. Round, John
Bruce, Lord E. Hamlton, Lord C. Rous, Captain
Buller, Charles Harcourt, G. G. Russell, J. D. W.
Byng, G. S. Hatton, Captain Rutherfurd, A.
Cardwell, Edward Hawes, Benjamin Sandon, Viscount
Carew, R. S. Heneage, G. 11. W. Seymour, Lord
Carew, W. li. P. lleneage, Edward Shell, R. L.
Castlereagh, Viscount Herbert, Sidney Smith, Benjamin
Cavendish, C. C. Hervey, Lord A. Smith, J. A.
Chapman, B. Hinde, J. it. Smith, Vernon;
Charteris., Francis Holland, Robert Smith, T. B. C.
Childers, J. W. hiatuses, W. A'Court Somerville, Sir W.
Cholmondeley, H. Hope, Charles Stansfield, W. R. C.
Clayton, R. It. 11. ye, G. W. Stanton, W. H.
Cleric., Sir Georg° liorstnan. Edward Staunton, Sir G.
ClAton, J. . Howard, B. G. Stewart, John
Clive, R. H. Iloward, Philip H. Stuart, Lord J.
Cockburn, Sir G. i-, owick, Viscount Stuart, W. V.
Coiebrooke Sir T. Hutt, William Stock, Sergeant
Collett, John Hume, Joseph Strutt, Edward
Collins, William Ingestrie, Viscount Snort, 11. C.
Corbally, M. E. James, Wm. Sutton, H. M.
Corry, Henry James, Sir Walter Taucred, 11. W.
Courtenay, Lord Jermyn, Earl Tomcat, J. E.
Cripps, William Jocelyn, Viscount Thesiger, Sir F.
Dalrymple, Captain Labouchere, Henry The.-rely, Thomas
Dame+ , Colonel Lambton, H. Trelawny, J. S.
I ,avies, D. A. S. Lascelles, W. S. Trench, Sir F. W.
Dawson, T. V. Layard, Captain Vernon, G. F.
Denison, W. J. Lemon, Sir C. Villiers, Viscount
Dickinson, F. 11. Lincoln, Earl Walker, Richard
Douglas, Sir C. Listowel, Earl Warburton, Henry
Drummond, H. 11. Macnamara,;Major Watson, W. 11.
Duncan, Viscount M`Geachy-, I'. A. White, Samuel
Duncannon, Viscoant INl`Neill, Duncan Wood, Colonel T.
Dundas, David Mahon, Viscount Worsley,ELord
East, James B. Manners, Lord J. Wortley, James S.
Easthope, Sir J. Martin, John Wynn, C. W. W.
Eastnor, Viscount Mildniay„H. St. John Wyse, Thomas
Ebrington, Viscount Milnes, R. M. Yorke, H. R.
Ellice, Rt. Hon. E. Mitcalfe, Henry TELLERS.
Emlyn, Viscount Murphy, F. S. Young, John
Escott, Biekham Napier, Sir C. Lennox, Lord A.

lIIINORITY—NOES, 88.
Acton, Colonel Du Pre, C. G. Marton, George
Archdall, Captain Egerton, Sir P. , Mastertnan, John
Ashley, Lord Ewart, William Maule, Fox
AStell, William Farnham, E. B. Maunsell, T. P.
Austen, Colonel Ferrand, W. F. Morris, David
Bankes, George Fitzroy, Lord C. Neeld, Joseph
Bateson, Thomas Forbes, William Neeld, John
Beresford, Major Forman, T. S. Newdegate, C. N
Broadley, H. Fox, S. L. Pechell, Captain
Brotherton, J. Fuller, A. E. Plumptre, J. P.
Bruce, C. L. C. Greenall, Peter Rendlesham, Lord
Buckley, Edmund Gregory, W. 11. Richards, Richard
Buller, Sir J. Y. Griinsditch, T. Ryder, G. D.
Chetwode, Sir .r. llallyburton, Lord Shaw, Frederick
Christopher, R. A. Hamilton, J. H. Sibthorp, Colonel
Cole, H. A. Hamilton, George A. Smith, Abel
Colgutoun, J. C. Hamner, Sir J. Spooner, Richard
Colvile, C. R. Henley, J. W. Thompson, Alderman
Connolly, Colonel Ilill, Lord M. Tollemache, John
Crawford, W. a. Ilindley, Charles Tower, Christopher
Curteis, 11. B. Iloraby, John Turn r, Edmund
Darby, George Hughes, W. B. Tumor, Christopher
Deedes, William Hussey, Thomas Tyrrell, Sir J. T.
Denison, John E. Jolls tie, Sir W. Verner, Colonel
Dick. Quintin Lefroy, Anthony Waddington, 11. S.
Dodd, George Leslie, C. P. Wakley, Thomas
Douglas, Sir 11. Lowther, Colonel
Douglas, J. D. S. Mackenzie, T . TELLERS.
Duncan, George Maclean, Donald Inglis, Sir RH.
Duncombe, T. APTag,gart, Sir J. Law, C. E.
Duncombe, 0. Marsland. il.

MURDER or AN INFANT BY ITS NURSE.—On Sun-
day morning, about ten o'clock. a frightful murder was committed
at the residence of Mr. John Drake Ffinch, of South-street, Green-
wich, solicitor. The facts of the case are as follows :—Martha
Bricksey, aged IEI years, the under-nurserymaid in Mr. Ffinch's
family, went into the kitchen shortly before ten o'clock, and asked
the cook for a knife, and said she wanted it to cut a pencil for
Mary, who was up stairs in the nursery. The cook gyve her an
ivory.handl. d table knife, but remarked that a smaller one would
do better for the purpose. She said no, that would do, as she
could use it for cutting the bread and butter at tea in the after-
noon, and immediately proceeded up stairs. In a few minutes
afterwards she came down stairs again, and, opening the part ur
cli,or, told her master and mistress that she had killed the
baby. Mrs. Ffinch, in a sate of indescribable astonishment,
asked what tne wretched girl said, and was in the act of rush.
ing up stairs to the nursery, but was stayed by her husband
and Mr. Traill, the linion.hall police magistrate, who
was paying the family a morning visit. The girl again said that
she had killed the infant, and hoped that " God would forgive her."
On Mr. Ffinch and some of his family going up stairs his infant
son, aged ten months, was discovered lying on the bed with his
head severed from his body in a pool of blood. On this fact being
made known, the whole of the family became horror-struck. Mr.
Ffinch immediately sent for a police.constable, who conveyed the
murderess to the station-house in the Blackheath-road, where
she will remain until the sitting of the coroner's inquest. Dr.
Caleb Taykr, of DeptMri, and Mr. Edward Downing, the police
surgeon, attended the prisoner in the police cell, and remained with
her nearly two hours on Sunday, during which she was overpowered
with frequent fits of grief, and as ofte:i called aloud to God for for.
giverisss, and declared that she had no dislike or ill. feeling towards
either the infant or its parents. It was done entirely through a
momentary impulse, and for which she could not in the remotest
degree account. Mr. Ffinch is of the firm of Smith and Flinch,
clerks to the county magistrates, and is himself chief clerk to the
police magistrates of the Greenwich and Woolwich Courts. _

FIRE INSURANCES.—From it ratan obtaincd by
Colonel Sibthorp, M.l' , relative to fire insurances, it appears that
during the year 1844 the grass total amount of the sums insured
by all the fire-offices in town and country, on farming stock, ex.
empt from duty, was 54,927,5721., namely, 16,375,8171. in the
quarter ending the 25th of March, 1844 ; 5,080,7721. in the
quarter ending the 24th of June, 1844; 8,199,2081 In the quarter
ending the 29th of September, 1844; and 25,01,77b1. in the
quarter ending Christmas-day, 1644.

4' A ILWAY COMMI FTE

(YESTERDAY.)

Group F.
This Committee held its first sitting to-day. Members present,
the Right Hon. F. Shaw (Recorder of Dublin), Chairman ;
Bramston, Mr. Ord, Mr. Villiers Stuart, and Mr. Lockhart. There
are thirteen projected railways to be considered in this group, all in
the Midland Counties, and diverging in various directions round
Birmingham. Of this number four have received the favourable
datiiiim of the Board of Trade, six have been reported against, two
were withdrawn from the consideration of the Board, and one has
not complied with the standing orders. None of the Bills are unop.
posese The following is the list of lines :-
1. Oxford, Worcester, and Wolverhampton Railway.
2. Oxford and Rugby Railway.
3. Oxford and Didcott Railway.
4. London and Worcester, and Rugby and Oxford Railway
(Dudley to Wolverhampton).
5. Birmingham and Gloucester Railway ( Worcester branch and
deviation).
6. Birmingham and Gloucester Railway (Wolverhampton Ex-
tension).
7. Bristol and Gloucester, and Birmingham and Gloucester
Rail way.
8. London and Worcester, and Rugby and Oxford Railway
(Dudley to Sedgeley).
9. London, Worcester, and South Staffordshire Railway.
10. Grand Junction (Dudley Branch) Railway.
11. Grand Junction (Shrewsbury and Stafford) Railway.
12. Grand Junction (Shrewsbury and Wolverhampton Branch)
Railway.
13. Shrewsbury and Birmingham Railway.
The list of railways, with the names of the opposing petitioners,
having been read by the clerk.
Mr. TALROF said a question should first be settled before going
into the business of the Committee. It was clear that he stood
before his Learned Friend Mr. Austin, as appearing for the
Oxford and Rugby line, and it was also equally clear that
Mr. Austin had precedence as counsel for the London
and Worcester line. As (Mr. Talbot's) however was a branch
line, and as the line of his Learned friend invelved the leading
question to be settled by the Committee, namely, the comparative
merits of the broad or narrow guage, his Learned Friend ought
to open his case first. But then, there came a third party, the
Birmingham and Gloucester Railway Company, who having no Bill
before the House yet claimed to follow after him with their evi-
dence against his scheme. So that not only would Mr. Austin
have the right of reply, but he (Mr. Talbot) would also have
against him the evidence to which he referred. This lie con.
sidered unfair.
Mr. DANIEL, who appeared for the Birmingham and Gloucester,
briefly replied, when
The CHAIRMAN said there was no use in spending much time
over that which was merely a matter of form. The great question
for the Committee to settle was that between the London and Bir-
mingham and the Great Western lines, involving the broad and
narrow gauges. The third scheme, the Birmingham and Glouces.
ter line, might be brought forward as an independent scheme.
This arrangement being agreed to by the opposing parties,
The CHAIRMAN intimated that it must be now distinctly under-
stood that there should be no further time spent in preliminary dis-
cussion, but that to—morrow, at twelve o'clock, they should at once
proceed to the consideration of the case on behalf of the London
and Birmingham Railway, and then the Great Western would fol-
I low in reply.
The Committee then adjourned.

Group DD.

EDINBURGH AND GLASGOW RAILWAY (BRANCHES
TO STIRLING AND ALLOA).
On the re-assembling of the Committee this morning at the
usual hour,
Mr. WILDMAN resumed his examination of witnesses on behalf
of Lord Dunmore, in the opposition to the proposed branch to
Alloa, of the Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway.
Mr. T, M`Mickham, land agent at Stirling, was the first witness
called. He said he had known the estate of Lord Dunmore since
1815. A great deal of moss grew on the surface of the land
through which the contemplated branch to Alloa would pass. The
mode usually adopted for clearing the land from moss on this
estate was by collecting water in dams on the surface, and then
allowing it to be precipitated with clay into the River Tay. The
making of the Alloa and Stirling branches would interfere mate-
rially with the reclaiming of these waste lands, as it would
hinder the proper erection of dams, and interrupt the free flow of
the water through the channels for carrying off the mess. The
moss lands before they are cleared are never leased, but when the
moss is floated the ground will let from 501. to 701. per acre. He
knows Dunmore-house perfectly well. It is a beautiful place,
situated on an eminence, and commanding an extensive view of the
fort, 4nd an uninterrupted s iew of the Grampian-hill in the distance.
The proposed line approaches within 1,300 yards of the mansion,
and only a screen of wood would prevent the railway from being
seen. He has examined the deposited plans and book of reference,
and knows the portion of Lord Dunmore's estate which will be re.
quired for the Alloa branch ; 2,130 yards within the line of devia-
tion, and 1,300 yards on the line itself, will be wanted. Lord Dun.
more and the Carnac family own the greater part of the property
th

trough which the Alloa branch will be carried.
This witness was cross-examined at some length by Sir T.
Phillips, but the main features of his evidence remained un-
altered.
Mr. 'WILDMAN then said he had no more witnesses to call, but
with the permission of the Committee, would proceed to address a
few observations to them on the evidence they had been listen.
ing to. The Learned Gentleman contended that the Edinburgh
and Glasgow Company had not kept good faith with the inhabi-
tants of Stirling. In 1832 a meeting of the land proprietors and
others of Clackmannan and Stirling had been convened, and reso.
lutions had been passed to request the Edinburgh Company to
make a branch from Alloa to Stirling. In reply to their appli-
cation, the Company stated that they declined making the pro-
posed branch, but in case they should alter their
present resolution, they would, before constructing the
line, consult with the proprietors of the land. This they had not
done. They had not consulted with Lord Dunmore, whose in-
terests he was now endeavouring to protect. They also contem-
plated destroying his property, by erecting a line which would pre.
vent the carrying off the moss. The Learned Counsel then com-
mented at considerable length on the evidence tendered by the last
witness, and concluded by expressing a desire that the Committee
would not allow the preamble sf the Bill to pass.
Mr. AUSTIN then rose to address the Committee on behalf of the
Edinburgh and Glasgow Unlit:hes. He commenced by saying that
he had so little taith in the effect of the address delivered in opposi.

tion, by Mr. Wildman, that he would at once waive his right to
reply and leave his interests entirely in the hands of the Committee.
An important point for the Committee to consider would be the
immense advantage which had been derived to the public from the
construction of the Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway. The consi-
deration which this Company had always entertained for the ac-
commodation of the public would be evidenced by the fact, that up.
wards of 1,500,0001. capital had been expended in constructing the
works, and the only remuneration that had resulted
to the promoters of the line was the trifling
dividend of three per cent on the whole. He contended that, on
these grounds alone, the Edinburgh and Glasgow Company were
entitled to have the election of making the proposed branches to
Alloa and Stirling. He would instance the decision of the House
of Commons itself as an exponent of this opinion. The Committee
had now maturely considered the nature of the Bill, and,
to enable them to come to an unbiassed decision, the con-
sideration of the Caledonian line had been postponed.
He bedeved it to be his duty to impress distinctly on the minds of
the Committee that the proposed branches for which he appeared,
and the line contended for by the Scottish Central Company, could
be regarded in no other light than as two competing lines with refe-
rence to local traffic. He contended that the principal ques-
tion for the Committee to consider would be one of comparison
between two lines to the north by the Edinburgh and Glasgow
Company, and the proposed line to the south. The opinion ex-
pressed by the Board of Trade on this matter was en.
titled to considerable respect. The principal point to be
dwelt on was, which Company shall have authority to make the
line to Stirling. He would willingly concede that it was necessary
to construct a line to Perth, and it was not very material who should
have power to make it. His present application rested entirely
upon the formation of the line to Stirling; and he would show to
the satisfaction of the Committee that the Edinburgh and Glasgow
Company had the most unqualified right to form it. The decision of
the House of Commons, which had been subsequently confirmed
by the report of the Board of Trade, distinctly pointed out that
the extension of any independent line would be inexpedient if an
original line existed from which branches and ramifications might
be extended, as its construction would tend to divert the course of
traffic from the principal line. He instanced the Leeds and Man.
cheater Railway and other lines, being similar cases, in substan-
tiation of the course generally pursued by Committees. The
traffic in the districts through which the Scottish Central Railway
would pass would be much more conveniently worked by the
branches from the Glasgow and Edinburgh line, and the point of
rest at Stirling, as proposed by that Company, was immea.
surably superior to any other that could be shown. Stirling
both with respect to its numerous population and the great extent
of its traffic was the best place for a central general terminus.
An extract from the population returns would show that the
number of inhabitants in the districts of the Forth and Clyde had
increased in the course of 40 years from 660,000
to 1,300,000, so that the population had exactly
doubled. The total population of Scotland according to
the present census was 2,000,000, and of this number more than
one-half was found in the districts he had alluded to. Industrial
activity prevailed to a greater extent in the neighbourhoods of the
Forth and Clyde than in any other part of Scotland. All these
considerations pointed out Stirling as the principal central point,
aid the general point for all the railway comsnunicatlon
to the greater part of Scotland. The returns of the traffic of the
Scottish Central Railway tables showed a comparative average of
two passengers and two tons from Perth to Stirling to one pas-
senger and one ton from Stirling to the Edinburgh and Glasgow
Railway, and the portion of the traffic to be conveyed
by their branches was as two to one in their favour.
The calculations that had been made by the Scottish
Central Company in estimating the traffic bad been greatly ex-
aggerated. The difference, from their own showing, between
Perth and Edinburgh was as 9,000 to 30,000. He submitted that
the Edinburgh and Glasgow Company, as an existing line, ought
to have the preference in electing to make the proposed
branches, when compared with the meagre pretensions of a new
and independent company. Stirling was the point which naturally
developed itself as the point of railway communication for the
country, and two boards of management on two competing
lines were incolepatible with the interests of the
public. He would now allude to another important
feature for the Committee to consider, viz., the construction of
the branch to Alloa. The distance from Edinburgh to Stirling by this
branch would be 37 miles. By the line proposed by the Scottish
Central the distance between these two places would be .36i. He
admitted that Ills line was somewhat longer, but this trifling in-
convenience was more than compensated for by the superior ad.
vantages it held out for the public convenience. The Learned
Counsel then dwelt at considerable length on the importance
of having the central station at Stirling, and the
policy of giving a new and independent company the
power of having uninterrupted control over all the present
appliances for developing the whole of the northern traffic. He
concluded his address by submitting to the Committee that an es-
tablished company who had expended so much capital for the ac-
commadation of the public ought to have the liberty of establish.
ing their proposed branches, and, by them, of controlling the
northern traffic.
The room was then ordered to be cleared. On our return,
The CHAIRMAN stated that the Committee had come to the
unanimous conclusion, in considering the Scottish Central Raii_
way Bill, that the preamble had been proved. With regard to the
Edinburgh and Glasgow Bill, that part of the preamble
which promoted the construction of a branch from Stirling to
Alloa had not been proved. The Committee considered, al o,
in respect of the Scottish Central Railway, that it was not at pre-
sent advisable that Perth should be made a central station. It
would be necessary that some subsequent arrangement should be
entered into with the other companies, in order that their mutual
accommodation might be considered, but that the Scottish Central
Railway Company would be at liberty to proceed in the construe.
tion of their works until such arrangement was satisfactorily made.
In answer to a question by Mr. Clerk, whether the South Inch
was to be the locus of the station,
The CHAIRMAN said that a special clause having reference to
this would be introduced into the Bill ; and he referred him to the
Chester and Holyhead Bill for a precedent by which he might
know how to proceed.
The clauses were then proceeded with, which were all passed
with the exception of those relating to tolls and stations, the con-
sideration of which was ordered to be adjourned.
Mr. ANDREWS then proceeded to address the Committee on
behalf of the Campsie and other branches of the Edinburgh and
Glasgow line, but as the preamble of these Bills are unopposed, he
only stated their general outline. The Campsie branch was five
miles in length, and would cost 42,000/., and passed through very
important agricultural districts; there were also four small subdivi-
sions' lines, one of which in its ramifications would join the Monck-
land Railway, and the oilier 'mull proceed cm* the Edinburgh and