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

ti'oritton

SUN OFFICE, Seven o' Clock.

RAILWAY COMMMEES.

(THIS DAY.)

HOUSE OF LORDS.

OXPouID, wonc,•risTEr,t, AND W'OLVEN-

HA.IVIPT ON EAILWAY.

The Committee met today at eleven o'clock, Lord Auckland in
the chair, when the further consideration of this line of railway
was resumed.
Mr. TALBOT was about to re-call Mr. Brunel respecting the esti-
mates which Mr. Stephenson had impugned, and also to place before
the Committee the answers to the queries referred to in giving
lir. Brunet's evidence in a previous report.
Mr. Sergeant WRANGIIAM objected to this course as irregular,
but was overruled by the Committee.
Mr. Brunel was then re-called and examined on his estimates,
Which he proceeded to expL.in. Mr. Stephenson's estimate of the
Permanent way was 6,0001. per mile; his (witness's) estimate
Was 4,0001. This, he was sure, was quite sufficient
for the purpose, as he laid down the permanent road
on the Great Western line for 4,000/., and on the Oxford and
Didcott branch for 3,9001. This difference alone made his Mi-
litate on this item 200,000!. below that of Mr. Stephenson. Then
co land there was a considerable difference between them, to the
amount of at least 150,000/. in his favour. He was perfectly antis-
&eel that the prices he had affixed to land were perfectly correct.
Then with respect to the cuttings on the Rugby line, he was quite
sure the line could be made for 12,00 C/. He had made the Oxford
and Didcett for 11,0001., and there was not more, he was certain,
than I,obo/. difference in the expense between them.
The witness was then generally examined on the estimates, but
these were the material points elicited.
Cross.examined by Mr. HOPE —His estimate of the Worcester
line was about 14,0001. per mile. The amount of earthwork on
the Oxford and Rugby line was about 70,000 feet per mile; on the
Oxford and Didcott line about 40,000 feet per mile. The heaviest
cutting on the Oxford and Rugby was about 800,000 feet ; on the
Didcott line 180,000 feet. The expense of bridges, however,
055 the Oxford and Didcott line was greater in propor-
tion to distance than on the Rugby line, and this
Would more than make up for the difference in the amount of
earthwork The land on the Didcott line was also very dear. The
value he estimated the land at on the Oxford and Rugby line, was
1,5001:, a price for which a considerable portion of the land on the
Great Western had been bought. In the 4,0001. for permanent
Way he had not included ballasting; that would cost from 3001. to
500/ per mile more.
Mr. HOPE then proceeded to sum up the evidence at great length
en behalf of the London and Birmingham, going through the various
Points adduced on both sides with great minuteness, and contending
that the Great Western had not made out a case to warrant the
Committee in passing the preamble of the Bill. He went through
the subjects of competition, the difference of gauges, the difficulties
of transhipment, and the respective advantages which the schemes
of the rival companies would confer on the tract ofcountry through
Which they were proposed to be taken, all which he affirmed were
In favour of his schemes, and concluded a very able and eloquent
appeal to the Committee to reject the Bill before them.

A point of compensation urged by the Rev. Mr. Winter, respect-
ing damage done to a parsonage house, was amicably settled with
the promoters of the Oxford and Worcester scheme at the close of
Mr. Hope's address.
The Committee then adjourned till to-morrow, at eleven o'clock,
When Mr. Daniell will be heard on Lehalf of the Gloucester Rail-
Way Company.