The Sun.
London, England, 1845-06-13 00:00:00

WEAR VALLEY RAILWAY.

Mr. Ts Lao; on behalf of the promoters of the above line, stated
the case at great length. The object of the line was to connect the
Wear Valley in the westward with the sea in the eastward, and to
afford an outlet for the great wealth and productions of a district
which was at present completely shut in, from having no suitable
means of communication with the sea. The proposed line was
projected for along time and was selected by Mr. George Stephenson,
who was called the father of the English railways. This
eminent engineer considered that the proposed line was
the best which could be selected for the development of the re-
sources of the country. The Learned Counsel then referred 0 the
sort of traffic which would be accommodated—iron, tin, zinc, cop-
per, lead, stone, flagging slates, fluor-spar, limestone, &c. It was
101 miles in length, and there was a branch of a mile and a quarter.
The whole cost of the line would be only 82,000/. Alter alluding
to the opposition to the line, the Learned Counsel said he would
not take up their time any longer, but proceed to call witnesses to
prove the statements he had made.

Mr. J. Dolphin was then examined by Mr. Buss—Lived near
Weird ale. Was a coal.owner and proprietor of lead mines. He
supplied the population of Darlington for a long time with coal.
On an average, the small families consumed eight tons yearly. The
population was about 4,000. There were extensive lead
mines and smiths'-works in that district, also limestone quarries,
and various other works which required an immense quantity of
coal. The witness then deposed to the general traffic of goods and
passengers, and considered that the proposed line would confer
great advantages on the district generally.
Mr. Thomas Todd, examined by Mr. DENISON—Lived in the
parish of Stanhope. There were forty.seven smiths in that and
the adjoining parish, who consumed. on an average, fifty.three
tons of coal weekly. The cost of the carriage of this coal was ss.
per ton. He heard the evidence of the last witness with regard to
the rates, distance, arid time of the carriage of goods by the pre.
sent and proposed modes of conveyance, and concurred in
the accuracy of those details. Sent himself 1,500 tons
of lime weekly for agricultural and other purl oses into
the adjoining counties by carts. The proposed line would be a
much cheaper, more rapid, and desirable communication; and he
considers it would greatly benefit the trade of the country, and
open up its resources.

The two last witnesses were cross-examined by Mr. Hill, to
prove that the Stanhope and Tyne existin4 railway accommodated
a large portion of the traffic which was claimed for the proposed
line.

Mr. Emerson Muskin was then examined by Mr. Buss, and
gave evidence of a similar tendency. He heard the evidence of
the two last witnesses, and agreed with them in the statements they
had made.

This witness was cross examined by Mr. HILL with respect to
the tunnel and Black Boy incline, with a view to prove that it
was impossible to form a continuous line of railway.
The CHAIRMAN here said that he did not see any use in calling
further evidence on the traffic. He wished the counsel and pro-
moters to direct their attention to the engineering points referred to
by opposing counsel.

Mr. John Harris, civil engineer, was then called, but it being
now within a few minutes of four o'clock, the Committee ad.
journed till I'2 o'clock to-morrow.