The Sun.
London, England, 1845-07-02 00:00:00

rbirb Xbition

SUN OFFICE, Seven o'Clock.

RAILWAY COMMITTEES

(THIS DAY.)

HOUSE OF LORDS.
CALEDONIAN RAILWAY.
The Committee met today at eleven o'clock, Lord Radnor in
the chair, when the case of the Glasgow, Dumfries, and Carlislede.
Railway, which is now brought forward in opposition to the • c
donlan Railway as a competing project, was gone into.
51r. ANDREWS addressed the Committee at considerable length
n reply to the case in favour of the Caledonian, closed yesterday,
and in favour of the competing scheme. After stating the routes
which the two lines of railway took, he entered into a comparison
of their engineering difficulties, which he maintained were.and much
greater in the Caledonian line than in the Glasgow, Dumfries,
Carlisle. In the former the gradients were much more severe, and
mere
the tunnels, cuttings, and embankments, much greater, and mlsn
in
difficult of construction than in the latter. The expenses a
proportion to distance was much higher. The engineering pecu-
liarities of the Caledonian were such, that he was persuaded that it
could not be travelled without considerable danger, besides offer-
ing many impedimenta to speed and regularity. The difference of
length between this line of railway and the Glasgow, Dumfries,
and Carlisle, he was certain would be more than compensated by
the superior speed and safety of the latter. If there was difference
in distance, it ought also to be recollected there was a great difference
in the amount of population along the respective lines. The Cale.
donian to a very great extent traversed a country destitute of culti-
vation, and with scarcely any inhabitants ; the other
passed on all points through a comparatively thickly populated and
well cultivated country. With respect to Glasgow and Lanark.
shire the two lines were about equal. It was, therefore, said as a
reason why the Caledonian should be preferred to the Glasgow,
Dumfries, and Carlisle, that it accommodated the north of Scotland,
which the other did not. True, it was proposed to connect this line
with the Scottish Central, but it was altogether erroneous to suppose
that thereby the whole north of Scotland would be benefited, All
Scotland north of the river Forth contained 1,200,000 inhabitants.
At present the only lines that traversed any portion of this tract of
country were those to Perth, Dundee, and Aberdeen. Now, of the
1,200,000, a vast proportion would receive no benefit from this
line of railwry. Argyleshire, with 100,000 inhabitants ; Fifeshire,
with 150,000; and Forfarsl.ire, with nearly as many more; be-
sides all the west parts of Ross-shire. Caithness.shire, and Suther.
landshire, Dundee, and the surrounding country and Fifeshire,
Would be supplied with a line of railway from Burntisland, in con-
nexion with Edinburgh, by which the southern traffic to those
places would proceed, the great mass of which would come by the
North British Railway and the Hawick line. Deducting, there-
fore these important items of population from the north of
Scotland, there only remained Perth and trade, Aberdeen and
trade, with the intermediate places on the lines of railway to be
accommodated ; all of which places would still con-
tinue to use to a considerable extent their former
Means of conveyance. Against these were to be placed the
mineral, manufacturing, and agricultural counties of Renfrew and
.Ayr, as also the important towns of Dumfries, Kirkudbrightshire,
Wigtonshire ; and there the balance should be struck--a balance
bat would tell greatly in favour of the line of railway for which
he had the honour to appear. As a proof of the decided feeling in
the latter named places in favour of this project he need only inform
the Committee that eighty-six petitions had been presented in its
favour, from Kirkcudbright, Dumfries, Wigton, Ayr, Kilmer-
Inarnoch, Port Glasgow, and other places ; as also from Belfast,
Londonderry, and other towns its the north of Ireland. The
Learned Gentleman having intimated that he was fully prepared
to prove all his allegations by the amplest evict, nce, concluded his
address, and the examination of witnesses was proceeded with.
Mr. Nicholson, of Carlisle, deposed as to the amount of the
traffic of that port, and the amount of traffic that might be expected
to go along the line of railway through Dumfries.
.31r. A. Oswald, M.P., gave evidence respecting the mineral and
ageisOtural produce of Ayrshire, and as to the great advantage
that wotild be conferred on the district by the proposed line of
railway.
Mr. Thomas Crichton, Provost of Dumfries, was examined re.
apecting the town and trade of Dumfries, and also as to the feeling
of the inhabitants, which he represented to be generally in favour
of the line.
Mr. Gordon and Mr. Reeves, late of the Post-office, were ex-
amined generally respecting the traffic.
Mr. Marmaduke Constable Maxwell, of Terregles, near Dumfries,
deposed as to the importance of Nithsdale as an agricultural dis-
trict, and of the great benefit the farmers would derive from the
railway, in bringing supplies of coal and lime from a distance at a
reduced rate of price.
Mr. Lenny, a landed proprietor, gave evidence to a similar effect.
The Committee then adjourned till to-morrow, at eleven o'clock.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.
LONDON GROUP A.
, CROYDON, CHATHAM, AND OR-
PINGTON (ATMOSPHERIC LINE), :AND
LONDON, CHATHAM, AND NORTH /CENT
LINE.
The CRAIRMAN on taking his seat this morning, at the usual
read
hour, the decision of the Committee as to the three principal
Bills now before them, an intimation of the nature of which was
given yesterday, and was accordingly published in the last edition
of The Sun of last evening, and was to the effect that the preambles
of the above Bills were not proved.
A discussion of great length as to what Bills should next be
taken then ensued, and the room was cleared in order to give the
Cdclutittee an opportunity of consulting.
On the re-admission of strangers,
The CatitaltaN said that the Committee had determined to take
first the Bills which were unopposed, and to postpone those which
Were opposed by landowners.
Several unsel urged the importance. of their Bills, and the
shortness ofco
Bill should next their evidence, and after a long discussion as to which
The Committee decided on taking first the
LONDON
4171) CROYDON RAILWAY EX-
TENSION AND WIDENING BILL.
Mr. Gregory, the engineer of this line, who was the only witness
called, salt: that it was Corn.
each to widen their p
e proposed by the London and Croydon Co-
resent line by making an atmospheric tube on
each sid, so as to have, in addition to their present line, a double
atmospheric line. The expense was estimated at 150,0001
The CLIAIRMAN declared the preamble of the Sill to be proved.
11724TERIDGE AND TUNBRIDGE WE LLS

- - - --
Mr. ALtxsmaxa said that this was a Bill to enable the South-
tastern Company to make a line from their works at Tunbridge to
Tunbridge Wells. The land was already purchased, and the greater
part of the line was already made, the only purpose of the Bill being
to legalise what bad been done.
Mr. Barlow, the engineer of the line, was then called, and proved
the above statements.
Mr. CLELILBY was about to cross-examine the witness. when
Mr. ALEXANDER objected, on the ground that be, Mr. Cleasbey,
had no locus stands'.

Mr. CLEASBEY abandoned his cross-examination.
The said the preamble of this Bill was also proved.
A discussion ensued as to \lr. Cleasbey's right to appear on the
Part of the Commissioners of the Navigation of the river Medway,
and the Committee decided that he had no locus stand, as the land
of the Commissioners was not interfered with.

ORE"ENV/ICII RAILWAY WIDENING AND

EXTENSION BILL.

Mr. ALEXANDER said that the South. Eastern Company sought by
this Bill to obtain power to widen a portion of the Greenwich line
is order to allow the Croydon line to moss it the more conveniently.
Mr. George Stephenson, civil engineer, spoke to the nature of the
Proposed widening.
Mr. ALEXANDER stated that the extension proposed had been
abandoned, being opposed by the Government, on account of its
interfering with Greenwich Park.
The QUMRAN declared the preamble of the Bill, as amended, to
be proved.

After a long discussion as to what course the Committee should
mow pursue, it was decided to adjourn until tomorrow, that in the
'bean time the Chairman might apply to have another Hcn. Mem-
ber appointed in the place of Mr. Roche (whose ill health would
prevent him from attending to-morrow) before any new part of the
subject should be entered into.
The Committee accordingly adjourned

GROUP L.
LONDON AND PORTSMOUTH DIRECT,
AND GUILDFORD AND CHICHESTER
LINES.
This Committee re-assembled to.day to define and pass the
clauses of the remaining Bills before them.
That of the Guildford Junction was first proceeded with, and no-
thing but mere technical arrangements or alterations made--each
Point, however trivial, met with the strenuous opposition of the
rival Companies, and thus occupicd the Committee with a most
Prolonged, but most uninteresting discussion.
Subsequently the Committee proceeded to the consideration of
the clauses of the Brighton and Chichester (Portsmouth) Bill, but,
as in the other instance, not a single decision was made of the
slightest interest to the public.
At four o'clock the Committee adjourned till to-morrow.

GROUP P.
SOZYTEC WALES RAILWAY.
On the re.asiembling of the Committee this morning at the
Usual hour,
g..14r• E. Buttes, the Chairman, announced that yesterday the
:"aldine Orders' Committee were unable to form a quorum, and,
;nu.ecaonosequence, no business was transacted. According to the
(.01,4
ff th
oatzliwouse, Mr. Escott was obliged to give notice for leave
subject":
Orders' Corn be'
quorum of three. He had given that notice, and the
ht before the House to-night • the Standing
port of h Brought
sit until
r this Committee inittee could not, therefore, sit until to-morrow, and
standlvionigildoadrdjeorueri: till Friday, in order to have the re-
Mr. Daniel Committee.
the co ,on behalf of various landowners on the line, and
until ?oration of Gloucester, requested the Committee to adjourn
eyond Friday, otherwise he would be perfectly unable to
'fleet anY new case that might in the interim be set up. He begged
In adjournment till Tuesday next.
~S T, PHILLIPS objected to any adjournment beyond Friday as
„U„"e!`"aarY• To-morrow afternoon, at three o'clock, the decision
-. the standing orders would be known.
General Johnson, M.P., refused to entertain the application.
ite had at great inconvenience to himself come a distance of a
hundred miles to attend the Committee yesterday, and next week
be Wanted to be four hundred miles away. There was no instance
ni a Bill in Committee at so advanced a period as July being
passed during the session, and he certainly should not agree to ad-
/I:burn the Committee till Tuesday next.
The CHAIRMAN observed, if any case should arise requiring
further delay, there would be sufficient time to consider the ap-
Plication, but under the present circumstances the Committee had
distinctly decided that they must adjourn till Friday.
The Committee then adjourned.

GROUP X.
CAMBRIDGE AND LINCOLN LINE.
The Committee sat this day at the usual hour, when
Mr. HILDYARD proceeded to apply himself to the traffic evidence,
and to comment upon it.
Mr. Sergeant WRANGRAM proposed to hand in certain clauses
la be inserted in the London and York Bill, binding that
p, Com
r;„ nr Stringently to certain conditions in regard to the
"tgation of the Witham, such as undertaking not
`e afford any obstruction to that navigation, and to be subject to
P fine of 201. per diem so long as any obstruction which may be
'lt UP should exist ; also, providing that the Witham Navigation
-Pany shall have a power to re- enter in the event of the Lon-
ite
"n and York Company not paying up the rent they undertake, or
Piing the towing-paths and Embankments, &c,, in proper repair.
• HILDYARD said he would comment upon those clauses
ttten he should arrive at that part of his ease,
uv_thers proceeded to call the attention of the Corn-
.4ose. to the evidence given in reference to the position of
about t°b• He shid, a witness stated that Boston would become a
port
for the Baltic trade, in case a railway communication
))e would
be given it to the interior ; and if that was to be relied on,
caution the Committee against granting any line, such as
than o
the London and York, which would preclude the possibility
143,11!t railway communication being made with Boston as stated
the "11Pess, and which, he contended, would be prevented if
setirm on OW York scheme should be approved of, because that
tiaolel pro.. " „ ;4/other mode of communication with Boston,
tepra,', °Y water, and a most circuitous route. With those ob-
vcient7n,t upon that point, he would now proceed with his state.
e
-
4 "v had already told the Committee that a Bill for making
XOttinSIIIIM to Lincoln had become the law of