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

GROUP AA.

THE GREAT SOUTHERN AND WESTERN
(IRELAND).

This Commttee met at twelve o'clock, Mr. Hindley in the chair.

Sir John M'Neill's examination went to show that there was
no engineering difficulty in the line. The cost would not exceed
that from Dublin to Thurles, in the county of Tipperary. The cost of
the line would not be increased, except in bad weather ; an addi.
tional engine would be then required. The cost of the entire
branch would amount to one million, forty-seven thousand, and
ninety-two pounds.
Several clauses were passed. The Committee cleared the room
on a clause of Sergeant Murphy's in favour of the corporation of
Cork, which was rejected, the standing orders not being complied
with.

(LEFT SITTING.)

GROUP 88.
DUBLIN, WEXFORD, AND CARLOW
RAILWAY.

The Committee met to-day at the usual hour, and resumed the
examination of witnesses. Mr. Colquhoun, chairman.
Sir John M./Cell cross-examined—He had prepared a table re-
quested by Mr. Alexander the previous evening, respecting the
cuttings and embankments, which he now handed in. He had yes.
terday said that the whole construction of the line would be for a
double line, except the laying down of the rails, but he begged to
correct this. The viaducts, bridges, and land would only be con.
strutted for a double line. The cuttings and embankments would
only be for a single line. At any future period, if a double line of
rails was to be laid down, and additional cutting and embanking,
there would be no difficulty in doing this, as it had been done
by him on the Coltness Railway. The latter was ten miles. The
gauge of the line was to be similar to what was already generally
used in Ireland. The engines would be about sixteen tons, and
the tender six tons, twenty-two tons in all. He had made his esti-
mate for rails at 71. per ton. The price was now about 91. 10s.
A month ago it was as much as 12/. He did not think iron rails
could be delivered at present for less than 91. 18s., as the freight
and delivery would be about Bs. per ton. He had set apart nu
part of the estimates for improving the harbour of Wexford. He
had, however, framed a plan for the improvement of the harbour,
and he had no doubt it would be carried into effect. At present,
vessels drawing nine feet of water could be admitted, and of a ton-
nage from 100 to 200. He had no doubt that a vessel of 200 tons
could be water borne in the harbour at low water. The water over
the bar was about eleven feet at high water, and six or seven feet
at low water. The harbour was a large estuary inside of the bar.
The line passed on a level a tundred feet above the quay of Ennis.
corthy. Thetown of Etniscorthy was built on the side of a hill.
The distance from ttie station to the quay was 2,400 feet. The,
corn market was About half-way between the two.
(Larr sirriNe.)

GROUP DD.

THE CALEDONIAN, THE GLASGOW, DITM-

PRIES AND CARLISLE RAILWAY.

The Committee re-assembled this morning at twelve o'clock,
and shortly after proceeded to the consideration of the proposed
new branch from the Dumfries line through the Delvine Pass.
Mr. HILDYARD called on Mr. Miller, the engineer, to explain to
the Committee the nature and route of the intended branch. He
exhibited a plan andsection of the proposed line, and explained to
the Committee the course of the branch. The survey had been
made in a couple of days, and if longer time were allowed a more
correct and a better line would be obtained, and he had no doubt
that by extending the point of separation further south a more fa.
vourable gradient might be obtained. There was a gradient of 1
in 75 in a tunnel of two miles in length. It was pro-
posed to deviate from the Dumfries line a little to
the north of Carron bridge, and carry its termination to a place
called Elvine Foot. The distance between these two points was
15 miles, and of that portion there was a plane of 5} miles long,
on a gradient of 1 in 75, and another plane of 4 miles in length,
where there was a gradient of 1 in 90, which no doubt could be
improved to 1 in 100, by carrying the point of departure farther
south. There would be also a tunnel 2 miles long through the
rock, the strata of which was composed of greywhacke. He had
estimated the cost of the tunnel at 401. per yard, and considered it
a fair value. The total cost of the tunnel would be 140,000/.
Comparing the proposed branch with a similar length on the Cale.
donian line, on the south side the gradient would be as 1 in 70, 1
in 75, lin 80, and lin 100. On the north aide they would be
as lin 150, and 1 in 100. There would be curves at each end
of the tunnel, averaging from half a mile to a mile in radius, and
neither of these would be objectionable in a tunnel with a
double line.

(LEFT SITTING.)

GROUP EE.
SCOTTISH MIDLAND RAILWAY.

The Committee met to-day at twelve o'clock, Mr. F. Baring in
the chair, when the evidence in favour of this line was resumed.
Mr. Kells, agent of the line, examined by Mr. FORSYTH, gave
evidence respecting the petitions of the landowners, opposed to
the line. He represented that, with some few exceptions, the
greater body of landed proprietors, and the mass of the people,
were in favour of its construction.

RMr. Maclaren, a partner in a drapery establishment, in Cupar
Angus, said that the staple manufacture of the town
was linen, and that the railway would be of the greatest service in
reducing the carriage or ....tna to and rrtnn the town. At present
they had to pay 21. 10s. carriage for goods coming from Glasgow,
but by the railway, presuming that the charge was 3d. per ton per
mile, the price would be IL 6s. 3d., and if 2d. per mile only
15s. The price of coal would also be reduced by the formation of
the line.

Mr. James Angus, of Kirriemuir, said that this town was prin.
cipally engaged in the linen trade. The population was upwards of
7,000. They manufactured cloth principally, the yarn for which
was derived from Dundee. The manufactured goods were after-
wards sent through Dundee and Glasgow for shipment. The pro-
posed railway would be of the greatest benefit to the town. The;
had at present to cart their goods for seventeen miles. Theprice
of carrying goods now paid iu Dundee was 10s. per tun. The ex-
pense of carriage to Glasgow by Dundee was twenty.
seven shillings. If the present line was formed,
and connected with the Scottish Central line, it would reduce
the expense one-half, as he calculated they could be taken to
Glasgow for 14s. per ton. They were at present st
English coal through Dundee, at a rate of 1/. 1s Ipplied with
per ton. The
formation of this line would reduce them at,,ut 6a. per ton, as
the Fife coal would be brought into rriemuir. There were
large markets and fairs held in the town. The drapers were
..om Glasgow. The expense
21. Os. or 21. 10s. The of
than
such principallygo e supplied
carriers
wither
as 7
w :d;csf"
less
feeling generally in the t947lrr owas in favour of this line.
eirriNg.)