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

AND CARLISLE RAILWAYS.

The business of the Committee was commenced this morning by
Mr. Hops resuming his cross-examination of Mr. Miller, the
civil engineer; but nothing of public importance was elicited Le-
yond what has already appeared.
On re-examination, Mr. Miller said that the two forks on the
Caledonian Railway would present a very great obstacle to the pro-
per working of the railway, as one train is obliged at the turn of
the fork to wait until another train arrives. The Dumfries line
was not intended to form a subsidiary railway to the Ayrshire line,
which would be very convenient for all traffic coming from the
north and south. The character of the gradients on the
fork of the Caledonian would be a great hindrance to
speed. It was understood that the Ayrshire line was
perfectly open to the Dumfries to work at their convenience, and
the rates on the Ayrshire would be moderated to suit their rates.
It was possible, in case the Dumfries line were made, to maintain
a branch from it through the Delvine pass.
The CHAIRMAN then interrupted the examination, and said the
Committee were of opinion that the suggested branch was very
desirable, and had been waiting for some days to hear whether it
was intended to make a line in that direction.
Mr. Miller said the plans had not yet been made for the branch
through the Delvine Pass, but he had carefully examined the
country in that direction, and, speaking from recollection, was
satisfied it was practicable to carry the line through it. The highest
summit was 1,000 feet above the level of the sea, and the gradients
for six miles would be from about 1 in 70 to I in 75.
The CHAIRMAN observed that nothing had been said in Mr.
Locke's report, or had been mooted by any one else, as to the prac-
ticability of making a line in the proposed direction.
Mr. Miller was about to explain the direction of the branch ,

from near Thornhill through the Delvine Pass, when it was ob.

jected that as there were no plans or sections before the Corn.
mittee, it would be difficult for him to give a sufficient explanation.
The Cuuamarr then recommended an adjournment, as a very

important point had been raised, and it would be necessary, for the
convenience of all parties, that sufficient time should be afforded
to satisfy the Committee as to the intended line.
After some conversation between counsel and the Committee, as
to the practicability of proceeding to investigate the merits of the
mootai points,

The CHAIRMAN said he thought it would be advisable in so im-
portant a matter to apply to the Government to send down some
impartial and competent person to survey the country and report
accordingly.
Mr. Coca smug suggested that perhaps it would be better for the
Committee to hear the evidence on both sides, and It might be as
well to adjourn for a time to aftbrd an opportunity of getting up the
evidence and rebutting it.
The CHAIRMAN said that it was the opinion of the Committee,
and must also be manifest to every intelligent person, that, pro.
vided the pass was practicable, it would be a great advantage to the
rich districts of the west in connecting Dumfries with Edinburgh ;
. .

and there was no doubt that with the proposed branch the Dum.
fries line was preferable to the Caledonian. A continuous
communication would be established with the north and
west of Scotland, and the shortest distance between
Scotland and Ireland would be obtained. If these ad-
vantages could be obtained, it was the bounden duty of
the Committee, on a matter so importantly affecting the public in-
teresis, to give it their most diligent attention. In the present
stage of affairs, however, the point was doubtful. The Committee
had not had sufficient data presented before them to decide de-
finitively; and it would rot be fair to hear the evidence on one
side without giving to the opposing party an opportunity of dis.
proving it if it were possible.
On the suggestion of Mr. COCKBURN,
Sir T. PHILLIPS then proceeded with the residue of his case, and
the consideration of the proposed new branch was adjourned.
Sir T. PHILLIPS concluded his re-examination of Mr. Miller,
and called Mr. Mitchell, a railway contractor. He said he had
constructed extensive works in various parts, and was well
acquainted with the method of working. He had carefully '
examined Mr. Miller's estimates, and considered them very
reasonable and fair. He would have no hesitation in undertaking
the construction of the railway at the prices put on the works.
Mr. Vignolles, civil engineer, said he had examined the country
districtst rou gl
thrcigh whichwhichuthepro hpostede edliCnaelswoonuild
pass, and a portion of the
Caledonian Railway went was com-
paratively poor. The forks on the Caledonian ought,
in his opinion, to have been made in the vicinity of
Carlisle: the advantages ,which would result from plac-
ing the junction there would be to have the line carried
through
unucgohat
rry which
i a ndw pa it o populous countrysse
s
through
on either side, instead of a
poori
and this was an im-
portant object in laying out a line of railway. He would concur
generally as to what the previous witnesses had stated with respect
to the benefit which the Dumfries line would confer on the country.
On cross-examination, Mr. Vignolles said he considered the
Glasgow Junction Railway would never answer.
Mr. Brunel, C.E., stated it as his opinion that more regularity
in the passage of trains might be expected on the Dumfries line
than on the Caledonian, as great inconvenience would be occasioned
by the forks on that railway. He corroborated the previous en.
gineering evidence.
Sir T. Piriwes then announced that the case for the pro-
moters of the Glasgow, Dumfries, and Carlisle Railway had con.
eluded with the last witness.

At the close of the case it was suggested to the Committee that
there was a gentleman in the room who could give some informa-
tion as to the proposed subsidiary branch through the Delvine
Pass.

The Committee having consented to hear his statements, rdr.
Jardine, engineer at Edinburgh, was called and examined
by the CHAIRMAN. Mr. Jardine said he was intimately
acquainted with the subject of gradients and elevations, and
other matters connected with railway affairs were familiar to him.
lie knew the lead hills, and had surveyed the country for the pur-
pose of making a road by the Tweed to Errickstone. From his
general knowledge of the country he could state that the line
could be made, and he considered the best junction
with Edinburgh could be effected through the Delvine
Pass. lie was not in a condition to give any idea
of the nature of the gradients that would be required, as he had
not examined the pass sufficiently to give a correct opinion.

The Chairmaq did not continue the examination of the witness,
as it appeared from his not having examined the country for rail-
way purposes, he was not competent to satisfy the Committee as to
the practicability of making the proposed branch.
Sir T. PHILLIPS then said he appeared to support the petition
of the Edinburgh and Glasgow Company against the Caledonian
line.

He then called Mr. Mills and Mr. Miller to show that a con.
siderable degree of traffic would be diverted from the Glagow
Company's line at the forks on the Caledonian Railway, and that
by adopting a portion of the Edinburgh and Glasgow line the Cale-
donian would avoid the expense of constructing an unnecessary
line of railway of eight miles in length.
After Counsel had cross-examined the witnesses in this case,
which was not of the slightest public interest,
The CHAIRMAN said, in reference to carrying a branch of the
Dumfries line through the Delvine Pass, he begged to state to all
parties concerned—to those interested in the Caledonian, the Glas-
gow, Dumfries, and Carlisle, and the Clydesdale Junction Rail-
ways—that the distinct opinion of the Committee was, that
there were several points which referred to those lines
that seemed to admit of au arrangement amongst the
different companies with regard to their separate interest. It was
the instruction of the Government to the Committee to look out
for the best trunk line, one that would conduce most to the public
convenience and interest; and if the contending parties could not
arrive at some satisfactory arrangement, the inconvenience of the
result would be only attributable to themselves. The intention of
the Committee was to look simply to the public advantage ;
and by this determination they were bound to abide,
whatever might be the sacrifice to any of the competing
companies. He would, therefore, recommend to the attention of
all parties interested the necessity which existed for the protec-
tion of their separate interests, by their arriving at some satisfac.
tory determination with regard to their mutual future proceedings.
The points on which it had been deemed advisable to urge this
course of proceeding had already appeared, and it would be un.
necessary for him to recapitulate them.
Sir T. Piimurs observed that he was instructed to say, on the
part of the Edinburgh Company, that they were prepared to meet
the other Companies in a spirit of fairness and amicability.
The point was again urged whether the Committee would pro.
ceed to hear the evidence for and against the eligibility of the
Dclvinc Pass, and Mr. Locke said he was quite prepared to give
the Committee the result of his opinion on the subject if they wished
to hear it, or he would send down a competent engineer this even.
ing and inspect the place, and make his report. It was ultimately
resolved that the matter should stand over till Thursday morning,
till which time the Committee adjourned.

Group X.
LONDON AND YORK LINE.

The Committee resumed this case today, at twelve o'clock.

The CHA►RMAN said he understood the evidence for the London
and York line was to be closed to-day, except the engineering
evidence.
Mr. PAGET said he hoped it would be closed to-day.
The CHA►RMAN said that the Committee had resolved that the
evidence should close to.day.
Mr, Sergeant WitAtitiliAM said he would take upon himself to