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

Group SS.

The Select Committee on this group re.assemblcd at the usual
hour this morning, and proceeded with the ailirmative evidence in
favour of the

CI OVENTIZY, EEDWORTH, AND NUNEATON

RAILWAY.

Mr. Wm. Clarke, the mlyor of Coventry, who was examined in
chief yesterday, was cross-examined this morning at considerable
length by Mr. DatsiEt., with a view of showing that a better line
might be marked out for the accommodation of the district.
Mr. Henry Browett, a large ribbon and trimming manufacturer,
proved that the line would greatly facdiate the trade carried on in
the neighbourhood of Coventry. He employed about 140 under.
takers who again employed upwards of 1,000 hands. These
undertakers, distribute the work amongst the inhabitants of neigh.
bouring villages, and it was of paramount importance
that a cheap and rapid communication should be effected
between Coventry and those districts. At present the
journey was performed on foot, and the goods traffic carried on by
carts and waggons ; but there could be no doubt these conveyances
would be thrown aside and the railway adopted, should Parliament
sanction its construction, Birmingham, London, Manchester, and
Liverpool dealers frequented the Coventry market, and it was
proposed to effect a junction with the London and Birmingham
and the Trent Valley line. There was no doubt
this railway would prove of considerable advantage to them.
The railway would have the effect of reducing the price of coal
in Coventry, for at present it had to be procured from Bed-
worth, and the cartage of the fuel enhanced the price to au
enormous extent. The railway, however, would reduce this
expense, and at the same time expedite the transit of the article.
At present he procured his coal from Bedworth and the Victoria
Colliery. The carriage cost him 3s. 6d. per ton, lie consumed
about one ton a day.
The witness was cross. examined by Mr. DANIEL, on behalf of a
number of landholders, whose property would be interfered with by
the progress of the proposed railway, and who disapproved of the
line. The object of the cross-examination was to show the Com-
mittee that a line running e..stward of Coventry, as was the case in
this railway, would not accommodate the inhabitants of the various
districts through which it passed so well as a line running westward
of that town.

Mr. Brown, a ribbon and fringe manufacturer, at Coventry,
gave similar evidence. He said there were five toaster manufac.
tuzers in the trimming and fifty in the ribbon business ; and be.
sides those about four hundred minor manufacturers in Coventry,
who would be all greatly accommodated by the proposed railway.
Mr. Thomas Williams, a ribbon-manufacturer, at Coventry,
and Bedworth, said he kept from 50 to 60 French looms constantly
at work at home, and besides these, he sent into the country
every day a basket of raw material, and received in return
a basket of manufactured goods He went once a week
to visit his works, but if there was a railway the probability
was that he would go every day. In his opision, a better
line of railway could not be laid down than the present one, be-
cause it accommodated the manufactures of the district and
passed near to some very important collieries.
Mr. Thomas Dalton, a silk dyer at Coventry and Bedworth,
and other witnesses, gave corroborative testimony, and the Com.
mittee afterwards adjourned.

GROUP W.
BRAYTON AND GOOLE RAILWAY.

The Committee on this line met today, at twelve o'clock, Mr.
Pakington in the chair. The other members of Committee present
were the Hon. Mr. Maxwell, Lord Seymour, Mr. Whitmore, and
the Hon. Mr. Bouverie. The examination of
Mr. Shepherd was then resumed by Mr. Piciitatme--He consi.
dered the canal much preferable to the rail as a mode of convey-
ance for corn to Wakefield. There was greater delay occasioned
by the rail. The quantity of oorn which arrived and was sold in
Wakefield In 1844 was 493,273 quarters, and in 1845, 575,799
quarters, showing an increase on the last year of 82,526 quarters.
That quantity did not include the flour which passed through
Wakefield to the west, nor any corn but what was sold in Wake.
field.
Cross-examined by Mr. Hope—Had no boats of his own on the
canal, The railway charge between Wakefield and Manchester
was, he thought `ls. to 2s. 3d. per quarter, on wheat. Could not
tell whether this included warehousing, &c. The quantity of
corn which is at present carried by the Manchester and Leeds
that money;
Railway, was, he considered, from 1,200 to 1,500 quarters a week.
Did not know that Captain Lawes had stated it at 3,500 quar-
ters, or 150,000 quarters a year. The value of the warehouses at
Wakefield, in his opinion, was 200,0001., but they were not built fur
of restoring its prosperity.
they might cost 50,0001. more when they were built,
from
ut he only spoke of their present value. Wakefield had not
not increasedknow in
200,000 to 300,000 quarters Prosperity since the construction of the railway. Did
whether A resort to the canal mode of conveyance was the
30,000 to 50,000
best means
Wake-
field could store from
those at Goole quarters.q uart rs warehouseso
(f Acaotrpn taion,d
in favour of the Pontefract and Goole line was here handed to
wait thought ;
witness.) Had signed that petition
and York line that he had signed. All the names attached to it
were respectable names.