The Sun.
London, England, 1845-06-19 00:00:00

GROUP Z.

The Committee to whom this group has been referred, met to-
day at twelve o'clock, the lion. Mr. Clive in the Chair.

GREAT 'WESTERN (IDUELIN it.I4D GAL-
WAY) RAILWAY.

The examination of Mr. Hannington, engineer for the Canal
Company, which was partly heard yesterday, was then resumed by
Mr. Rowe. There was an error of 5 feet at 198- miles between
the section of the promoters and the real level. At 191 miles there
was 5 feet of difference. Their section was higher than the
ground. At 201 miles there was a difference of 15 IA feet. The
ground was so much higher than it was shown on the section of
the promoters. At 20a miles the ground was 101/2 feet higher
than was shown on the section of the promoters. At 21 miles it
was 12; feet higher. At 223 A miles it was 15 feet higher. At
22i miles it was 17; feet higher. At 23 4-Bth miles it was 154
feet higher, On the avenue at 24 miles it was 17 3j feet higher.
On the road at 25; miles it was 15 feet higher. On the road
at 37 miles the ground was 41 feet lower than was shown
on their sections. At 38 miles it was 1 foot lower. At the church
avenue, at 39i miles, it was 11;1 lower. These were his own ob-
sri vations made on the spot. He commenced the levels on the
24th March, and finished thetn on the 27th of March. He sur-
veyed from the 18th mile to the 26th mile, and from the 36th to
the 42d mile. He took those levels in consequence of informa-

tion which he received, that the levels on the. Company's sections
were erroneous. He and Mr. Boyle compared sections together.
He put down the result of his levels on the spot. Mr. Boyle's
sections of the country were accurate, as tested by his levels. The
line passed through ground of a very boggy character, particularly
between Tultamore and Naas. If there was cutting, then the rail
would become a great ditch, which of course would bring the
water into the rail. Sir John M`Neill was the best authority in
Ireland with respect to the construction of railways. Has been
the only person who has executed railways there. He thought
the railway could not be constructed for the estimate. The addi.
tional earthworks required would increase the estimate to 46,816/.
The bed of the canal, in some places, had sunk five feet, in conse-
quence of the peat stratum not being able to bear the superincum-
bent weight.
Cross-examined by Mr. MURPHY—The construction of the
railway was practicable. The bog presented no insurmountable
difficulties. If the estimate was sufficient, the railway could be
constructed. Ile made the entries in his book in the field in March
last. He was tour days employed altogether in taking the levels.
He took no note of the evidence which he gave yesterday
with respect to the levels. At 21 f miles the error was

121 feet. He commenced at IBi miles on the da-
tum line, and he assumed that that point was correct.
If the copy of Captain Moorsom's section was not correct
on the point from which he started, his levels would
be also incorrect. lie gave no evidence of these errors before the
Committee on Standing Orders. He took the levels to give evi-
dence on them before the Committee on Standing Orders. The
reason he did not give evidence was in consequence of
the division which had been made between the Grand
Canal Company and the Mullingar Company with re-
spect to the evidence, and as the evidence on the levels
fell to the share of the latter Company, who withdrew their peti-
tion, of course he was not called upon. He thought that the rail.
way could be constructed for about 1,0001. per mile more than
Captain Moorsom's estimate. He thought that 21. per Irish acre
was enough for the land, at 25 years' purchase. Ile was not aware
that Captain Moorsom's estimate was double that amount, or 41.
By Mr. WARD—Did not think that the additional amount
required for earthworks (46,8161.) would be affected by the dis-
crepancy in his evidence to-day and yesterday with regard to
the levels.

Mr. Boyle was here called, but declined giving any evidence, as
the information which he could give was acquired in a professional
capacity for the Mullingar Company. Fie did not wish, therefore,
to give any evidence against the Galway Company.

Mr. James thought, however honourable such reluctance
might be to Mr. Boyle as a servant of the Mußinger Company, he
saw no reason for, nor did the law for a moment sanction, the with-
holding of evidence on such grounds.
Mr. MURPHY objected to the examination of this witness for
reasons for which the Committee would understand, and which it
was unnecessary for him to allude to more distinctly.
The CHAIRMAN, after consulting with the rest of the Committee,
decided that the witness should be examined.

Mr. Boyle, civil engineer, was then examined by Mr. James—
Went about the latter end of March, along with Mr. Henry and
Mr. Hannington, to take the levels. He had copies of the sections
and plans of the promoters of the line along with him. These
were made partly by himself and partly by his assistants. There
was an error of fully 38 feet at one point, which was in the
neighbourhood of Loughrea, between the 18th and 26th mile. The
surface of the ground on the section was so much lower than the
actual surface. This error was continuous for five miles along the
course of the line, but that was the maximum. He could not say
that the errors alluded to by Mr. Hannington were correct, but he
could say that errors quite as great as he stated really existed.
Mr. Hannington and himself took the levels separately, and after.
wards compared them. They agreed in the results.
This witness was cross-examined by Mr. T►YLOR at great length.
He admitted he had stated that the book from which he made his
calculation did not furnish sufficient data to enable him to pro.
nounce a positive opinion as to their accuracy.
James Malley, secretary to the Mullingar Company, examined
by Mr. Rowe—He could net say that every thing in the office of
the Company was under his charge. He had the instructions of
the Company not to give up the sections taken by Messrs. Boyle
and Harrington, unless obliged by the Committee.
Mr. Rowe here applied to the Committee for power to compel
the production of thfe documents, and for this purpose requested
the Chairman to apply for the Speaker's order.

Atter some discussion the room was cleared,to enable the Com-
mittee to consult as to the course they s:iould take. On our re-
admission,

The CiannthAN ammunced the decision of the Committee, " that
as the documents required were of a private nature, they had no
control over them."

Mr. George Leasher, civil engineer at Deeds was then examined
by Mr. J...aiess. He went over to examine the proposed line,
and to compare the sections and plan that had been deposited, with
the levels taken on the ground. He went over the ground with
Mr. Boyle, and the levels whicn he took perfectly coincided with
tnose taken by Mr. Boyle there, when compared with the sections
that had been deposited by tee promotors showed errors of
a very considerable extent. He commenced at 21 i mile on the
line. The maximum error he discovered was between 30 and 40
feet. He believed the line to be impracticable, without altering
the gradients. The cuttings would be far lower than the drainage
of the country.

Cross-examined by Mr. MURPHY—If the section from which he
commenced to make his observations was incorrect, all the calor*_
lati.in afterwards made on that foundation would be also incorrect.
The other engineers which were to give evidence on behalf of
the Grand Canal Company, not being in attendance, owing to their
engagements at othea Committee, the Committee adjourned till
twelve o'clock to-morrow.

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.
(THIS EVENING.)

HOUSE OF LORDS.

Their Lordships assembled at Five o'clock.
SIR HENRY POTTINGER.

The Earl of LIVERPOOL brought down her Majesty's
answer to their Lordships' address expressive of their con-
currence in her Majesty's message recommending that a pension
of 1,5001. a year should be granted to Sir Henry Pottinger, for
his services in China.
The Duke of WELLINGTON moved that it be entered in
the journals of the House.
Messengers from the Commons brought up several Bills,
which were read a first time.