The Sun.
London, England, 1845-07-22 00:00:00

EVENING, JULY 22, 1845.

RAILWAY CO.A.LV T TEES.
( YESTER)A Y.)

per cent. on the capital of 6000,0001. Surely, with such
a prospect of reimbursement, the Company had sterling
reasons for raising the large capital they proposed,
and in representing their treasury as a bona
fide and inordinarily good means of investment.
Then their opponents bad attempted to impugn their traffic tables,
well knowing that nothing but such a course would give them the
least chance of making out any case whatever against the London
and York. Mr. Parkes, a gentleman of at least some cele-
brity as a traffic taker, was put into the witness-
box, and, at first, by his Wausibility, almost terri-
fied the London and York. He adopted a system, however,
which, on cross-examination, proved so novel, shallow, and erro-
neous, as to preclude it from the danger of ever becoming
vulgar by general adoption. He had first halved all
the traffic he met with at different points, and then
doubled it, and yet affected that by these means he halved
the traffic anticipated by the London and York, who took the
entire without increase or reduction T The gentleman had for.IIII that once one was exactly the same as, and no more than,
half two.—(A laugh.) Nevertheless by some unintelligible
, contrivance a reduction of 75,0001. was made by Mr. Parkes in
the computed traffic of the London and York. His Learned
Friend, Mr. Hildyard, had, however, thought it more exl edient
and more wise to omit ail mention of that reduction in
• the speech with which he closed his case, even in neg-
lect of the challenges of the Committee. But what was the
character of the estimate made by that eminent, honest, and un-
rivalled engineer, Mr. Cubitt, on behalf of the London and York
line ? Why, despite the array of talent and animosity opposed to
them--despite the log which the Board of Trade had, on insuffi-
cient evidence, cast around their necks—and despite the defiance
be himself had at the outset thrown out--not one single solitary
attempt had been made by any one party, surveyor, counsel, or
engineer, to controvert or deny it. There was a certain part of
the case for the London and York which had excited no small
spleen and dismay among their opponents, and that was their coal
traffic. One attempt, and one only, had been made to disprove it,
and that was a notable failure. Their own witnesses showed that
the Derbyshire coal presented a remarkable equality of indifference
in price, between the highest and lowest. They contended that they
would bring that coal into successful competition with the produce of
the Durham mines; but it was shown that whenever the latter was
brought into the same market as the former, it invariably corn.
manded a higher price by Os. per ton, no matter how distant that
market might be from Durham. It had, moreover, been proved
by Mr. Dundas that four tons of Durham coal were equal to six
tons of that from Derbyshire. Their opponents had never suc-
ceeded in showing that they could convey the coal at such a rate
as to save the difference in cost, the utmost amount of saving
that they could show being is. fid. a ton, and that only
on two hypotheses—one improbable, the other impossible—
the first being an assumption that all the divided parties north of
them would carry it at the rate which the Landon and York bound
themselves to do--td, per ton per mile. That certainly was im-
probable. The other was, that as the London and York proposed
to carry It at the stipulated price according to the geographical
(not the lineal) distance, being a complete direct route, some means
could be adopted of determining the geographical proportions of
the distance for which their project, consisting of variuus lines,
not parallel or continuous for them also. That was impossible. In
no part of their case was the advantage of continuity, integrity,
and undivided management so visible as in respect to their coal
traffic. The London and York took credit for 26,000 head of
cattle from the very same district for which the Cambridge and
Lincoln claimed 43,000. Passing over " the gap" at Lincoln,
supposing it to be filled up, he came to the Direct
NoVhern. The London and York was cheaper, and afforded
mere accommodation than that portion of the antago-
nist system lying north of Lincoln. The great features in
favour of the line lie represented might be summed
up in a few words :—thcre was its entire independence,
a vast and invaluable advantage, and by its unity
of property and unity of management conduced to conve-
nience and economy. Another, and no slight feature in the
scale of the London and York was, that it took the old route
through every market town between the termini : an advantage of
this kind was pre-eminent, when the ancient market towns were
regarded, and the important trade concentrated there. Again, it
afforded a connexion with every single town of consequence in
the neighbourhood, affording advantages even to Wakefield as well
as York. Cambridge only had been omitted, but the Company
had the choice of taking in either that town or Lincoln; and could
any one doubt that in selecting the latter a right judg-
ment had been evinced? The witnesses on the other
side spoke even energetically of the importance of Lincoln
as an agricultural district, and one, Mr. Healy, went so
far as to say, that it was the finest arable or pasture land in the
world. But if the people of Cambridge were so anxious for rail.
way communication, the London and York Company were most will.
ing, and had pledged themselves, to construct a line both with Lincoln
inter se and inter terminors. But before he sat down, he could not
but advert to the charges proposed upon the line, charges he believed
unexampled for their lowness. First-class passengers were to be
conveyed upon the line at the rate of 2d. per mile; second class,
; and third class, Id. per mile. Baled goods were to becarried
at 2d. per ton per mile, and coals at %d, per ton per mile. And
as to parcels—a department of traffic to which he wished to
cal the most particular attention of the Committee, as a
method both novel and satisfactory had been proposed--
parcels under a stone weight would be carried for sixpence, if for
a distance rot exceeding twenty-five miles, for all other distances
over that there would be one uniform charge of one shilling,
benefits to the neighbourhood which could scaretly be
over-rated. Such were the advantages which this Company pos-
sessed over its rivals. He had now done his duty to
his clients and the Committee, and he now closed the
case with confidence and satisfaction, because be believed that no
other course could be adopted by the Committee than to
grant the preamble of the Bill which he represented, inas-
much as it was calculated above all others to extend social and
moral improvement, to spread prosperity throughout the country,
" to bless her fields with increase, and satisfy tier poor with bread."
The Learned Counsel sat down amides a slight demonstration of
applause, which was, however, immediately checked.
Mr. Wells, on behalf of the Cambridge and Huntingdon line,
having enquired if the Committee could name a day when that B
could be proceeded with ?

The Chairman and his colleagues withdrew, to ccnsider when
their decision on the lines already discussed would be given. After
an absence of some few minutes, •
The CHAIRMAN said that as the subjects for investigation were
very lengthened, and would take tome time fully to delibertte on,
the Committee would adjourn till two o'clock on Wednesday, but
without pledging themselves to give their decision then.
The Committee then adjourned.

PARLIAMENTARY BUSINESS.
MONDAY, JULY 21.
The Epping Railway (No. 2) Bill was read a third time
and passed. '
The Lords' amendments to the Wear Valley Railway Bill
were agreed to.

Message from the Lords,—That they have agreed to Fal-
mouth Harbour Bill, without amendment; Liverpool and
Bury Railway (Bolton, Wigan, and Liverpool Railway anti
Bury Extension) Bill; Westminster Improvement (No. 2)
Bill ; West London Railway Bill ; Newport and Pontypool
Railway Bill, with amendments; Foreign Lotteries till,
with an amendment.

That they have passed a Bill, intituled "An Act for re-
lieving high constables from attendance at quarter sessions
and assizes, and from certain other duties, and for amending
the laws relative to jurors and juries."
Also a Bill, intituled "An Act to authorise the sale of set-
led estates of the most Hon. the Marquis of Donegall in Ire-
land, in order to pay off mortgage and other incumbrances."
Also a Bill, intituled "An Act for vesting certain lands
and other hereditaments devised by the will of Sir Thomas
Coxhead, deceased, in trustees, upon trust to sell the same,
and to grant leases thereof for building and other purposes."
Also a Bill, intituled "An Act for authorising the sale of
certain portions of the real estates devised by the will and
codicils of John Bowes, late Earl of Strathmore, and for au-
thorising the purchase of other real estates, including lands
held for long terms of years, to be settled to the uses of the
said will and codicils, and for extending the power of grant-
ing mining leases given by the said will, and for other pur-
poses."

NOTICES GIVEN AT THE PRIVATE BILL OFFICE.
Manchester and Leeds Railway,—Third reading, Wednes-
day, July 23.
London and Croydon Railway Enlargement,—Third read-
ing, Wednesday, July 23.
Select Committee on Group X. adjourned till IVeclnesday,
July 23, at two.

COURT CIRCULAR.
The Queen and Prince Albert took a drive in an open pony
phaeton on Sunday afternoon, in the grounds adjacent to Os-
borne House, Isle of Wight. Their Royal Highnesses the
Prince of Wales, Prince Alfred, the Princess Royal, and the
Princess Alice were taken airings on Sunday afternoon.
Yesterday the unfavourable state of the weather during the
, forenoon prevented her Majesty and her Royal Consort taking
their accustomed early walk.
The Hon. and Rev. C. Leslie Courtenay took his departure
yesterday from Osborne House.
Their Royal Highnesses the Duke of Cambridge and Prince
George left town yesterday morning for Paultons, near Romsey,
Hants.
A deputation, including Mr. Masterman, M.P., and Mr.
Alderman Copeland, Al. P.. had an interview with Sir R. Peel
yesterday, at his official residence in Downing-street.
Mr. Higham, Secretary and Comptroller-General to the
Commissioners for the Reduction of the National Debt had an
interview with the Chancellor of :he Exchequer yesterday at
his official residence in Downing-street. Mr. Timm, Solicitor
to the Stamps and Taxes, had also an interview with the Right
Hon. Gentleman yesterday.
Dispatches were received yesterday at the Colonial-office
from the Governor of Jamaica, and also from the Governors of
the other West India Colonies.

Lord Wharncliffe, Lord President of the Council, arrived in
town yesterday from the Isle of Wight.
The Attorney-General and the Solicitor-General had an in-
erview with Sir Robert Peel yesterday.

The will of James Balfour, "Pi,!..q., late of Whiffing-
ham House, Haddington, North Briton, and Grosvenor-square,
London, lately deceased, has just been proved in England. The
personal estate within the province of Canterbury, sworn under
80,0001. ; that in Scotland sworn to as exceeding 1,000,000/. The
executors are Dame Weanor Balfour, the widow; James Maitland
Balfour, and Charles Balfour, the sons ; the Right Hon. the Earl
of Lauderdale, the Hon. Sir Anthony Maitland, Edward Stanley,
Esq., and John Balfour, the nephew of the deceased. The will
was made in February, 1844 ; and there are four codicils, the
two last were made in February, 1845. The testator has
bequeathed to his wife, Lady Eleanor (the third daughter of
the late Earl of Lauderdale), an annuity of 3,760/, charged upon
the estates; also a legacy of 31.000/., with full permission to re.
side at either of the mansions, Whittingham, Balgonie, or Grosve-
nor-square. To his eldest son, James Maitland Balfour, he has
devised the lands and barony of Whittingham ; and to his son
Charles he has devised the Balgonic estate, and has bequeathed to
him a legacy of 47,0001., and the stun of 20,000/. to rebuild the
mansion at Balgonie, and to refurnish the same. His daughters
are provided for under their respective marriage settlements. He
has left pecuniary bequests to his grandchildren, nephews, nieces,
and others, and legacies and annuities to his `servants; and has ap.
pointed his eldest son residuary legatee.

- -
LOCAIOTIVE LITERATURE.—III triS " iron age" of
seam-brats and railroads, the "locomotive interest" has a
class of literature entirely its own. Amongst the various pub-
lications of this class, there is one little unpretendinc, yellow
book, put forth every month gratuitously by the General Steam
Navigation Company, which ought to be in the hands of evz,ry
one who leaves England for any other part of Europe. This
little monthly publication, in 32 pages, contains not only a list
of the times of departure, from the various ports, of the mighty
fleet now formed by the vessels of this important and most re-
gular Company, but also the departure of the Rhine steamers,
as well as a great mass of useful and indispensable information,
including amap of Central Europe, indicating the various rail-
roads and the track of the several steam-vessels • the regula-
tions and charges for the conveyance of goods, bullion, parce:s,
&c. ; the distances between the p:incipal continental cities and
towns, anti their distance from London; instructions for ob-
taining passports; the reduction of English money into the
various continental coins; and a condensed mass of other in-
formation, the possession of which is indespensably necessary to
the tourist.

CURIOUS CIRCUMSTANCE.—A witness in the Crown
Court, on Monday, twice gravely told one of the couwel for the
prosecution, in a case of cattle-stealing, that he could not identify
the prisoner at the bar as the person of whom he bought the heifer
at Beverley fair, as he could not see him distinctly, when he made
the purchase, " because it rained so fast."—Yorkshire Gazette.