The Sun.
London, England, 1845-05-31 00:00:00

he regarded the project as mischievous and indefensible.
(The Hon. Member concluded by sketching a line, which he con-
sidered would avoid all the objectionable features of the present
project.)

Cross-examined by Mr. ANDREWS, Q. C.—Had received from
all the towns on the line petitions in its favour, but did not con-
cur in their prayer. Thought the cost of the line he should sug-
gest would not be one-half that of the projector. There would
be a few hundred yards of tunnelling, but not certainly any con-
siderable expense.
Mr. Blackadde, examined by Mr. Foasrru—Has, within the last
fortnight, surveyed the line between Brechin and Friockheim, and
found it ten miles and two furlongs, without any engineering diffi-
culties, and requiring no tunnelling or other expensive works.
Mr. JAMES, Q.C., declined cross-examining this witness, in con-
sequence of the sections of the projected line between Brechin and
Friocklieirr. not having been deposited.
Mr. Guthrie, examined by Mr. FORSYTH—IS a town-couhcillor of
Brechin, and well acquainted with the district. The trade there
is considerable, Brechin consuming about 800 tons of flax annually,
partly manufactured in the tovai of Froickheim, and part exported
to Kerremuir and Forfar. Should consider a line between Bre-
chin and Montrose of the greatest importance to both towns, and
the shorter the route the greater the advantage. The distil-
leries in the neighbourhood of grechin are both numerous and
extensive, as also the stone quarries and other mineral works.

Cross•examined by Mr. Jemes, Q.C.—The communication be.
tween Brechin and Montrose would not be complete without a
branch to Friockheim, in order to convey the traffic from Dundee.
David Black, examined by Mr. FORSVTII—Is town clerk of
the town of Brechin, and being acquainted with the feeling of the
inhabitans there, can prove it as decidedly in favour of the direct
line from Brechin to Montrose. The market of the former town
supplies a population of above 13,000. The terminus of the branch
proposed by the Aberdeen Railway is three-quarters of a mile dis-
tant from the town, and, therefore, very inconvenient to the traffic
of the district.

This having closed the evidence of the opponents of the Bill,
Mr. ANDREWS, ¢C., on behalf of its promoters, briefly addressed
the Committee in reply; the Learned Counsel confined himself to
submitting the opposition front the inhabitants of Montrose, the
Chairman having intimated that that from Brecbin could not be
sustained.

Strangers were then ordered to withdraw; and on their re
admission

The CIikIRMAN announced that the Committee were unani-
mously of opinion that the preamble of the Bill had
been proved ; that decision, however, while conclusive of the
necessity •f the branch to Montrose, did not settle the question of
terminus in that town, nor whether the whole line should be
worked by steam-power. Those points were still open, and re-
quiring more evidence to establish their expediency, the Committee
retained them in abeyance.
Immediately after the decision, which was awaited for with the
most intense interest, the Committee adjourned till Monday next..

GROUP FE.