The Sun.
London, England, 1845-06-03 00:00:00

THE SCOTTISH MIDLAND RAILIA7IIY

Mr. HOPE proceeded to open the case on behalf of this line.
The Scottish Midland, the Learned Gentleman proceeded to state,
via: proposed to be taken through an an important agricultural
district. It commenced at Perth, with a population of 20,000,
and passed up the right bank of the 'lay to Stanley, an important
in-nufacturing village; from thence it left the Tay and writ up
the right bank of the river Isley to Cupar Angus, a distance of
I,', miles. At Cupar it joined the Newtyle and Cupar Angus
Railway, and passed along it for 4,1 miles, which was to be our-
chased at the price of 15,750/., contingent on the passing of this
Bill. Near to Melee it left the Newtyle and Cupar Angus line,
and there was here a new portion to be formed of 1 miles.
At the cud of this new portion it joined the Newtyle and Glanimia
Railway, over which it passed Mr 4i miles, and which was pro.
posed to be purchased for 20,00.1. At Glammis a new portion of
line ,X'aS to be formed of six miles, by which it would be connected
with the Arbroath and Forfar Railway. The total length,
including the portions already made, would be 52 miles. For
thirteen miles the rails were almost en a level. The severest
gradient was one in 125, and there were no tunnels. The largest
bride;-... that over the Tay, would be one of ordinary struc-
ture. It was only proposed to lay down a single line of
rails :it present, but land would be taken for a double
line, so that the latter could be found as soon as
the traffic justified it. The whole of the capital was 300,0091.
wh:, li was amply sufficient for all the purposes of the line, and to
make purchases of the portions of railways already formed, pro..
posed to be taken. There was a strong feeling in the district
through which the line was proposed to be taken in its favour.
The 'petitions in its favour altogether were 17, from Perth, Dundee,
Brtchin, Stanley, Glammistown, and the landlords and farmers of
the surrounding country. After a general reference to the nature
of the opposition offered to the line by certain landholders and
road trustees, the Hon. Gentleman proceeded to call witnesses.
Mr. Sidey, Lord Provost of Perth, was first called.—There were
a great number of fairs held in the district through which the
line passed, and a great amount of agricultural produce was ear--
ried from the various markets to be forwarded to the manufac-
turing; districts. There was a very great cotton manufacturing
establishment at Stanley, seven miles from Perth. There were
likewise large manufactories at Blairgowrie. The cotton was
brought from the west through Perth, and the manufactured goods
returned back in that direction. There were extensive bleaching
grounds at Luncartie, four miles from Perth. Strathmore was
a great agricultural district, and from there and the surrounding
country large quantities of cattle, sheep, wool, grain, and potatoes,
were every year brought into Perth, to be forwarded to England
and the manufacturing districts of Scotland. Of potatoes alone
40,00(1 tons had, during the last year, been shipped at Perth. A
very great amount of this traffic would come along this line of rail-
way, int!, in return, coal would be a large article of transit, The
Perth anti Elgin and the Perth and Inverness Railways, proposed
to use the line, the one for twelve miles, the other for fifteen miles.
To Mr. ANDREWS—The two lines, the Perth and Elgin and the
Perth and Inverness, would, he had no doubt, be ultimately carried
out. Ile was not well enough informed at present to say how far
these two projects would be competing lines.
Mr. Buchanan, of Stanley, stated that he was one of a firm there
extensively engaged in the spinning of cotton. The firm employed
about 800 persons, and a very large amount of raw cotton was an-
nually manufactured. He considered the line proposed would be
mcetuofatttainaled goods.
Stanley, both receiving the material,
and thiengtrr(a'antsemsi service

Dundee,
abu:plie hs
from
Fife.
that town. He was engaged in business to a larger extent than
any other person there. There were fifteen spinning-D:4lls in the
Mr. Leadheater:of Blairgowrie,said. he was a manufacturct In
town, and the quantity of goods annually sent cut was 4,000
tons. They used a considerable amount of coal in
their manufacturing operations. At present they were
supplied
ie
if a line was opened up to Perth they would grt Coal much cheaper
j
4 considered that
firmthey uld de
get e o
Cross-examined by Mr. JANES—A ,:onsideruble amount of goods
went to Dundee, a portion of w/''.ch was finished there ready for
the foreign market. His ho:Ple was the only one in Blairgowrie
thanaPP at present, pre's'inteilt, as then
in communication with GlP,gow,
coal
The Committee then adjourned till twelve o'clock to-morrow.