The Sun.
London, England, 1845-05-28 00:00:00

AND MIDLAND JUNC-

TION RAILWAY.

The Committee re-assembled at ten o'clock this morning, and
Mr. BARNES, Q. C. called Mr. Booker, who stated that heleased,
and was part owner of, certain pits. The proposed line would
greatly increase the working of the coal. geld in the neighbourhood
of Dronfield, and coats which at present had no sale at Sheffield,
would, in the event of the railway passing, be used in almost every
instance. The prices would be lessened fifty per cent. by the
improved mode of transit.
Mr. Robert Nall, cattle-dealer, spoke of the advantages which
the proposed line would give to the markets of Sheffield and Man-
chester, by obviating the evils o the present conveyance of sheep
and cattle to those places. He conceived that no alternative tine
could be so useful as the projected line in this case.
John Richardson, coal agent in Chesterfield, proved that the
coal mines in Newbold, and adjoining places, would, when
when worked, export, in round numbers, some 28,000,000 of
tons of coal, and 18,000,000 of ironstone. That working would
in a great measure depend on the construction of this railway. He
knew no place where ironstone could be had so cheaply or abun-
dantly as in that district, and the only thing wanted was a ready
conveyance to the Sheffield market.

Cross-examined by Mr. T&LBOT—There was a pit, called the
Soap-house pit, at Sheffield, but he was not acquainted
with the extent of its working. He had no doubt
that they could raise as much coal at any of the pits
of Dronfield as they could at the Soap-house pit, but, owing
to the want of cheap carriage, the former was not worked. The
statement he had put in embraced what would be worked at Dron-
field in the event of the railway being carried into effect.
The Rev. Alexander Broornhend, a clergyman of the Church of
England, residing in the town of Newbold—He was owner of one.
eighth of all the coal-pits opened in the late inclosed common-
land. The minerals in the district were only beginning to be
wrought, and he was certain that if this line were started the
mines would be greatly in demand. There was also abundance of
ironstone in the township, and of fire. clay ; and he was then in-
curring considerable expense in the expectation of a future demaud
for them.

Cross- examined by Mr. TALBOT—He was not aware what parti.
cular species of coal was required for converting purposes, but as
there were five dift2rent species in the district, he had no doubt
that one of them would be suitable for the purpose.
Mr. Tautom—Are you an Oxford man, Mr. Broomhead P—No.
Mr. TALBOT—Because that is very indifferent logic, you know.
You had better leave that subject to a more competent witness.
John Wilson, Newark, proved the amount of malt and flour
manufactured at that town, and sent to the Manchester and other
markets in that direction. If this railway were opened, the
traffic would be sent by it.
George Hazlehuret, land and mineral agent In Chesterfield—Was
well acquainted with the coal beds, and he furnished an estimate o
the quantity of black shale coal from the townships of New..
bold and Coul Ashton. The total quantity he had put
down at '20,800,000 tons, and ironstone in the same proportion.
Benjamin Smith, ironmaster, sear Chesterfield, spoke of the
great quantities of manufactured iron, of shale coal, of ironstone,
and of fire-clay, which would be sent from Dronfield and Duck.:
manton to the Lancashire markets if the railway were opened.
lhe Committee adjourned at one o'clock till tomorrow at twelve.

(MONDAY.)
Group B.
RIPON AND HARROGATE LINE.

This Committee (Mr. C. M. Stewart, chairman), resumed this
morning.

Mr. Eatison of Knaresborough was the first witness examined.
He stated that they were supplied at Knaresborough with coals
from Kippax, Manston, bliddleworth, and other places, which, if
the Lee,:s and Thirsk lines were formed, they could not be con-
veyed by, but nearly the whole district traversed by the Ripon and
Harrogate Junction was in coal districts. The coals were sold
,at Leeds at present at about 6s. 10d. a ton, but were now sold at
Knaresborough from 13s. to 15s per ton.
Being cross-examined by Mr. OTEREND, he said the coals used
for burning lime at Knaresborough came from Manston. Si!kston
coals were bet er than Manston.

Re-examined---The coals whicb came by the Leeds and Thirsk
Railway could not compete with the north country coals.
Mr. Howgate was re-examined regarding the population returns,
upon which head this withess was examined at great length on
Friday last.

Upon cross-examination by ➢lr. OVEREND, witness admitted that
he had not calculated the population in several townships within
five miles of the Leeds and Thirsk line—Flaxby, Goldsborough,
Cannethorpe, and other places.
The CHAIRMAN said that he could not allow counsel to go
through the Fame facts over and over again.
Mr. OYERRND said his object was to show that the population
within five miles of the line for which he appeared (the Leeds and
Thirsk) had not been accurately computed—in fact, 19,000 of the
population within this district had been omitted in the returns fur-
nished by the witness.

Mr. ROBINSON said such was not the case—what the witness had
taken from one line he gave to another, and examined the witness
in confirmation of this statement.

Mr. John Leather examined—Owned a colliery near Leeds.
The Ripon and Harrogate line would pass near the mouth of
his colliery—within forty yards of it. Coals were now sold at
this colliery for tour shillings and sixpence a ton, and wculd be
sold in Knaresborough for six shillings, in case the Ripon and
Harrogate line were completed. The Leeds end Thirsk line would
not carry any of the Yorkshire coal, as now projected.
Cross-examined—Had an interest in the Ripon and Harrogate
line being carried out. His coals were as good as Middleton or
Rothwell Haig coal.
Re-examined—Had been concerned in railway contracts. Had
looked over the plans of arches on the Leeds and Think line, and
thought they could not be performed at the price proposed, nor
at less than 2/. 7s. 3d. per cubic yard.
Mr. Pease, who had been formerly M.P. for Durham, stated, that
he was the owner of several collieries at St. Helen's and South
Durham. At his collieries about 2,000 tons were daily risen, and
much more could be raised. Those collieries supplied first-class
housekeepers' coal. Had a general knowledge of the Yorkshire col-
lieries. If the Ripon and Harrogate Junction line were
completed, he could supply the town of Knaresborough, supposing
the distance from his colliery to it to be 52 miles, and the dues Id.
per mile per ton, at the rate of 95. 6d. per ton for the best, and
Os. for the inferior coal. Coals were now selling in Yorkshire at
75. 6d. and Os. 4d. In case this line were completed, he would be
enabled to lay down coals at Leeds, assuming the distance to
be 72 uples, at from 10s. 6d. to Ils. per ton.
But if the carriage dues were lessened, which would
probably be the case, he could lay them down at Leeds for 2s. a
ton less. This.rate of dues would afford ample remuneration to
the railway proprietors. The people of Think were accustomed
to use the north country coal, and it was impossible to Induce
them to use the Yorkshire coals. Had a gradient of 1 in 33 far a
considerable distance from his own colliery, but it was found to be
a great impediment. If the Ripon and Harrogate Junction were
formed, large quantities of limestone of the very best quality could
he brought from \Vcirdale, which would be a great boon to the
agriculturists.

Cress.examined—Could supply good coals to the town of Leeds
at I Is. or 9s. 6d., according to whether the dues were Id. or 4d,
per mile. There were very good coals to be had in the neighbour-
hood of Leeds, but not so good as the Durham.
To the CuAIRMAN—The rate of dues per ton per mile was greatly
affected by the distance. The highest dues he knew of in his
neighbourhood were a fraction less than 2d., and the lowest a frac-
tion more than a halfpenny.

Mr. C. Bradley, ex-land surveyor, resided at Richmond, in York-
shire. Valued the land on the Harrogate and Ripon Junction, and
surveyed the land between Pumimoor and Collin's Cottage. It com.
prised 136 acres 2 roods 35 perches ; the Ripon branch was 41
acres 3 roods and 4 perches. The expense of constructing the
former line was 23,821/. The Ripon branch would cost 9,6721.
Mr. Parker, secretary to the Great North of England Company,
was aware that upwards of 16,000/ had been paid as deposits by the
shareholders on the Harrogate anti Ripon Junction line. Captain
O'Brien, brother of the gentleman at the Board of Trade of that
name, was secretary immediately before him to the Great North of
England Company.

Mr. Joseph Stephenson, engineer to the Great North of England
Railway Company, surveyed the line of railway from Ripon to
Knaresborough, and thence to Co!fin's Cottage, which he selected as
the best point for a terminus. The gradients were better on this
line than on any other, and it had other advantages. Surveyed as
far as Boroughbridge. The proposed line from Pillinore to York
was 16 miles. It was 6 miles south of Thirsk. It went on to Bo-
roughbridge, and thence it branched to Ripon, which was 5 miles
distant. From Boroughbridge the line went a little to the east of
Knaresborough, and thence to Collin's Cottage, which was distant
from Harrington a little more than a mile. The whole length of
the line, without the branch to Ripon, was something more than
15 miles ; with it 20i miles, or thereabouts. The proposed line
connects Brafferton, Boroughbridge, Knaresborough, Harrogate,
and Ripon, and these with the Great North of England Railway.
The works were generally light, tke cuttings easy, and the gra-
dients excellent, the worst being I in 178. Surveyed the line
from Collin's Cottage and Leeds, and seen the country to the west,
and had, after doing so, selected the best line for a railway, but
could have made an improvement upon it. The proposed line
passed through several coal fields.
Mr. Baines objected to the Counsel upon the other side going
into any statement relative to the line of communication between
Coffin's Cottages arid Leeds, inasmuch as that line had not been
brought ui!der the notice of Parliament. They had no oppor-
tunity of testing the merits of this line. The Commitete, of which
Lord Ashley was Chairman, refused to hear any such evidence.

The CHAIRMAN asked if there were any report to the Board of
Trade in the case to which counsel referred ?
Mr. BAINES replied in the negative.

The CHAIRMAN said there was a report to the Board of Trade in
this case, which made the difference. They would, however, only
take a cursory notice of it, as no plans or sections of it had been
exhibited to the opposing party, and having no substantial data
upon which they could go into geological and other details.
Mr. ROBINSON contended that the report of the Board of Trade
treated this line as a serious project. . _

. _
The Ch AIRMAN said tha this was not the place to contend for the
infallibility of the reports of the Board of Trade. That before him
was puzzling and indefinite in many places. They could not con.
sider the lines now under discussion only in a bird's-eye view.
They would not enter into air-drawn projects.

Thirsk Stephenson
estrtelieaat aemeui nldedh—e
eDeiedthineoted,thhinerkeetshee
thLeecgdrs
ouanndd
was very undulated. The difficulties in the formation
of a Leeds and Thirsk line increased, as it
proceeded westward. Did not think Mr. Grainger's proposal
of expense adequate to what must be the outlay. The Leeds and
Thirsk line would twice cross the river Aire, and the expense of
viaducts would be over 7,4001., the other 7,4801., or 851. per
cubic yard. The expense of crossing the river Wid by this line
would be at the rate of 1001. per cubic yard—the whole expense
13,200/. Mr. Grainger's estimate of the Fame work was 19,2001. The expenses of the masonry on the Leeds and Thirsk line, in.
eluding arches, viaducts, and bridges, would be 221,9411.
The great difference between his estimate and Mr.
Grainger's was as regarded masonry, for In arching he charged
Is. 9d. per cubic foot, and oblique bridges, 2s. which was a great
deal more than Mr. Grainger 's estimate. The tunnelling on the
Leeds arid Thirsk line would cost from 451. to 40/. per yard. A
railway could be made from Fillmore to Collin's Cottage, for
246,5161., or upwafds of 12,0001. per mile. Included In this is
the branch to Ripon; in all more than twenty miles, on his
plan the expense of constructing the whole line from Leeds to
Think, would be 1,155,0601. A line more easterly might be
made at lees expense. Did not think the Leeds and Thirst line a
proper one. Surveyed the country from Knareaborough to Leeds

with care and minuteness.—(The witness was not permitted to
mention the expense.)
Cross-examination--Had been principal engineer for three years,
and assistant for six, but had not been bred an engineer. Had
instructions to survey the Ripon and Knaresborough line in April
1644, and slid so. Has not had any experience in tunnel making.
Never made, or assisted in making one. Surveyed the Leeds and
Thirsk line five or six weeks ago. Thought it would take four
years to make a line from Leeds to Thirsk. A much better line
could be made in three years than the proposed one in
four. The Ripon and Harrogate line would cost
12,003. per mile, from Collins' cottage to Ripon.
This witness then gave some formal evidence, and added that the
whole cost of cempleting the proposed line of railway (Ripon and
Harrogate) was 246,5161.
Mr. George Leather, another engineer, was called on the same
side, and he gave confirmatory evidence of the above. He thought
the Thirsk and Leeds line a very bad one.

At the conclusion of this witness's evidence the Committee
adjourned.

PARLIAMENTARY BUSINESS.
NOTICES GIVEN AT THE PRIVATE BILL OFFICE.
SATURDAY, MAY 24.

Kendal and Windermere Railway,—Consideration of re-
port, Tuesday, May 27.
Bristol and Exeter Railway Branches,—Consideration of
report, Tuesday, May 27.
Bridgewater Navigation and Railway,—Consideration of
report, Tuesday, May 27.
Ulster Extension Railway,—Consideration of report, Tues-
day, May 27.
Midland Railways (Nottingham to Lincoln),—Considera-
tion of report, Tuesday, May 27.
Leeds and West Riding Junction Railway,—Consideration
of report, Tuesday, May 27.
Belfast and Ballymena Railway Bill,—Consideration of re-
port, Tuesday, May 27.
Hull and Selby Railway (Bridlington Branch),—Third
reading, Tuesday, May 27.
Shrewsbury, Oswestry, and Chester Junction Railway,—
Third reading, Tuesday, May 27.
Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway,—Third reading, Tues-
day, May 27.
Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway,—Amendments to be
proposed on third reading, Tuesday, May 27.
Waterford and Limerick' Railway,—Committee on Bill,
Monday, June 2, at half after twelve.
Gloucester and Dean Forest Railway,—Committee on pro-
ject, Monday, June 2, at twelve.
Newport and Ponty Pool Railway,—Committee on Bill,
Monday, June 2, at twelve.
Glasgow, Garnkirk, and Coatbridge Railway,—Committee
on Bill, Tuesday, June 3, at twelve.
London and South Western Railway (Metropolitan Ex-
tension) (No. I),—Committee on Bill, Tuesday, June 3, at
half after twelve.

Staines and Richmond Railway,—Committee on project,
Tuesday, June 3, at half after twelve.
London and South Western Railway (No. I),—Committee
on Bill, Tuesday, June 3, at half after twelve.
London and Brighton Railway (Wandsworth Branch),—
Committee on project, Tuesday, June 3, at half after twelve.
Epping Railway,—Committee on petition, Wednesday,
June 4.

ArONDAY, MAY 26.
The following Bills were read a first time :
Diss, Beceles, and Yarmouth Railway-.
Goole and Doncaster Railway.
West London Railway.

Standing Orders Committee,—Resolutions reported;
1. " That, in the case of the Brighton, Lewes, and Hast-
ings Railway (Hastings, Rye, and Ashford Extension) peti-
tion, the Standing Orders ought to be dispensed with :—That
the parties be permitted to proceed with their Bill."
2. " That, in the case of the North Wales Railway peti-
tion for additional provision, the Standing Orders ought to
be dispensed with :—That the parties be permitted to intro-
duci such additional provision on proving to the Committee
on the Bill the consent of the owners of the lands through
which the proposed deviation is to be made."
3. "That, in the case of the Newport and Ponty Pool
Railway petition for additional provision, the Standing Or-
ders ought to be dispensed with :—That the parties be per-
mitted to introduce such additional provision, on proving to
the Committee on the Bill the consent of the owners, lessees,
and occupiers of the lands through which the proposed de-
viation is to be made."

4. " That, in the case of the Guilt:ford, Chichester, and
Fortsrnouth Railway petition for additional provision, the
Standing Orders ought to be dispensed with :—That the par-
ties be permitted to introduce such additional provision, on
proving to the Committee on the Bill the consent of the
owners, lessees, and occupiers of the lands through which
the proposed deviation is to be made."

5.." That, in the case of the Preston and Wyre Railway
petition for additional provision, the Standing Orders ought
to be dispensed with :—That the parties be permitted to in-
troduce such additional provision, on proving to the Com-
mittee on the Bill the consent of the owners, lessees, and oc-
cupiers of the land through which the proposed deviation is
to be made."

6. " That, in the case of the Birmingham and Gloucester
Railway (Worcester Branch and Cheltenham Extension)
petition, the Standing Orders ought to be dispensed with :
That the parties be permitted to proceed with their Bill on
omitting such clause or clauses as enable the Company to
sell or lease their Railway to the Midland Railway Com-
pany." _ _

"That the Committees on this and the three preceding
Bills do examine, in the first place, how far such Orders have
been complied with, and do report the same to the House on
the report of the Bills."
7. " That. in the case of the North British Insurance
Company Bill, amendments on consideration of report, the
said amendments are of such a nature as to justify the
House in entertaining them, if they shall think fit."
S. " That, in the case of the Athlone and Galway petition
for leave to present a petition for a Bill, the Sessional Order
ought not to be dispensed with."
9. " That in the case of the Southampton and Dorchester
Railway petition for additional provision, the Standing Or-
ders ought not to be dispensed with."
10. "That, in the case of the Sheffield Waterworks peti-
tion for additional provision, the Standing Orders ought to
be dispensed with :—That the parties be permitted to intro.
duce such additional provision."
_

11. " That, in the else of the Portarlington and Tullamore
Railway Petition, the Standing Orders ought not to be dis-
pensed with."
12. " That, in the case of the London and Brighton Rail-
way (Wandsworth Branch) petition, the Standing Orders
ought to be dispensed with :—That the parties be permitted
to proceed with their Bill."
First, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, tenth, and twelfth
resolutions agreed to.—Report to lie on the table.

Brighton, Lewes, and Hastings Railway (Hastings, Rye,
and Ashford Extension),—Report (this day) from Select
Committee on Standing Orders read; Bill ordered to be
brought in by Mr. Darby and Mr. Henry Fitzroy.

NOTICES GIVEN AT THE PRIVATE BILL OFFICE.

Monkland and Kirkintilloch Railway,—Committee on Bill,
Tuesday, June 3, at twelve.
Select Committee on Group N. adjourned till Thursday,
May 29, at twelve.
Select Committee on Group A. adjourned till Wednesday,
May 28, at twelve.
Select Committee on Group Q., adjourned till Thursday,
June 5, at twelve.
Exeter and Crediton Railway,—Third reading, Wednes-
day, May 28.
Eastern Counties (Ely and Whittlesea Deviation) Rail-
way,—Third reading. Wednesday, May 28.
Hull and Selby (Bridlington Branch) Railway,—Third
reading, Wednesday, May 28.
Leech, Dewsbury, and Manchester Railway,—Third read-
ing, Wednesday, May 28.
Blackburn, Darwen, and Bolton Railway,—Third reading,
Wednesday, May 28.
Huddersfield and Manchester Railway and Canal,—Third
reading, Wednesday, May 28.
Leeds and Bradford Extension Railway,—Third reading,
Wednesday, May 2S.
Huddersfield and Sheffield Junction Railway,—Third read-
ing, Wednesday, May 28.
.North Wales Mineral Railway,—Report, Wednesday,
May 28.
Goole and Doncaster Railway,—Second reading, Friday,
May 30.

Diss, Beccles. and Yarmouth Railway,—Second reading,
Friday, May 30.
Edinburgh and Hawick Railway,—Report, Wednesday,
May 28.
Wilts, Somerset. and Weymouth Railway,—Third reading,
Thursday, May 29.
Berks and Hants Railway,—Third reading, Thursday,
May 29.

Select Committee on Group K.K., adjourned till Thursday,
May 29, at twelve.

IRELAND.

ACADEMICAL EDUCATION—THE CATHOLIC BISHOPS
DUBLIN, MAT 9.4.—The proceedings of the Catholic Synod were
brought to a close yesterday evening. The following is a copy of
the resolutions :

"At a meeting of the Prelates of Ireland, convened in the
Presbytery House, Marlborough-street, Dublin, 23d May, 1845,
his Grace the Most Rev. Dr. Murray in the chair, the following
resolution was unanimously adopted :

" Moved by the Most Rev. Dr. SLATTERY ; seconded by the Most
Rev. Dr. WHALE,

" Resolved—That having maturely considered the Bill now peed.
ing before Parliament for the extension of Academical Educltion
in Ireland, r.nd giving credit to her Majesty's Government for
their kind and generous intentions, manifested in the endowment
of the College of Maynooth, we' find ourselves compelled by a
sense of duty to declare, that, anxious as we are to extend the
advantages of education, we cannot give our approbation to the
proposed system, as we deem it dangerous to the faith and morale
of the Catholic pupils."

" Moved by the Most Rev. Dr. Cstous, seconded by the Right

Rev. Dr. RYAN,
" Resolved,—That, therefore, a respectable memorial, suggest_
trig and soliciting such amendments in the said Bill as may be cal-
culated to secure the faith and morals of the students, be presented
to his Excellency the Lord-Lieutenant, praying his Excellency to
forward the same to her Majesty's Government, and support its
prayer with the weight of his influence.''

The Freeman's Journal says the memorial to the Lord Lieu-
tenant will demand that a fair proportion of the officers and pro-
fessors of the academical institutions shall be members of the
Catholic Church, and that the appointment to chairs connected
with religion or morals shall be vested, not in the present, but in a
board of which the bishops of the province in which the college is
situate shall form a constituent part. They will also require that
a Catholic chaplain or dean shall be appointed to superintend
the religious, conduct of the pupils, and that his appointment
or removal depend on the recommendation of the bishop of the
diocese.