The Sun.
London, England, 1845-06-10 00:00:00

DONCASTER AND GOOLE RAILWAY

was then proceeded with.
Messrs. Austin and Pollock appeared on behalf of the promoters
of the Bill; Mr. Pickering (on behalf of the Don Navigation Com-
pany), and Mr. Bliss (on behalf of the landowners on the line),
appeared to oppose the Bill.
Mr. AUSTIN then opened his case. The Doncaster and Goole
projected line was intended to connect the port of Goole
with Doncaser. It was 18 miles in length, and the capi-
tal was 280,0001. He would not oppose the evidence
which had already been brought before the Committee, nor descant
upon the importance of the port of Goole. The traffic which this
line would accommodate could be served by none of the lines which
had been before the Committee. The only serious opposition to
the line was from the Don Navigation Company, for the
opposition of Mr. Bliss on the part of the landowners
was merely on account of the agricultural nuisance which
might be expected from the line passing through their
property. The Learned Counsel then referred to the different
places whose traffic would be accommodated by the proposed line,
and enumerated Sheffield, Barnsley, Stafford, Birmingham, Wol-
verhampton, Belpar, and Derby. There is at present a branch
between Rotherham and Sheffield, which, by connecting with
the North Midland line, would afford almost a direct com-
munication between Sheffield and Goole. It would also
open up a communication with Nottingham, Leicester, and the
various coal-fields along the whole line. At Barnsley there were
extensive linen manufactures, and there were also in its neighbour-
hood immense beds of coal and iron-stone, which would find a ready
outlet by the proposed line. Sheffield, which had a population
of 120,000, would also find a more convenient and cheaper
mode of conveyance for the traffic which it now sends
to Hull. The line of railway at present existing from Sheffield to
Hull was seventy-six miles in length. The proposed line from
Sheffield to Goole was only thirty-six miles. The cost of a quarter
of wheat by the present conveyance from Sheffield to Hull was
Is. 10d. ; the cost by the proposed line to the port of
Goole from Sheffield was only 10d. He adduced that
as a specimen of the comparative transit of the two
lines. With regard to goods, the cost by the best con-
veyance was 10s. per ton, and by the proposed line it would be only
3s. 9d. There was a saving, too, of time. Goods were at pre.
sent five hours in the carriage, and by the proposed line only
two hours and a half would be occupied. The Learned
Counsel then referred to the traffic of the Don Navi-
gation Company, and contrasted the bad naviga►ion
and heavy tolls and delays of the Don, which was 191/2
miles in length, and a long turnpike road of 22 miles in length,
with the cheap, rapid, and convenient accommodation which would
be afforded by the proposed line. As a ;woof of the traffic which at
present existed in that district he would state that at present there
were 18,000 tons of goods carried weekly to and fro
on the Don, and no less than 1,000 tons of coal a day from the
collieries on the line. He would not take up the time of the Corr-
mittee by alluding to the engineering works on the line, or to the
estimates. There was no engineering difficulty on the line. It was
very easy of construction, and almost fiat, and no injury would be
sustained by any house or residence along the whole course of the
line. He would now proceed to call witnesses, in proof of the
traffic, &c.

Mr: WILKINS, on the part of the Wakefield, Pontefract, and
Goole line, said that he would be under the necessity of opposing
the line if Mr. Austin would rely on the traffic of Barnsley or Ashton.
They were much nearer to the line on which he had been engaged
than they were to the proposed line ; and the Manager of the
Barnsley Coal Company had actually entered into an agreement
with the Wakefield, Pontefract, and Goole line for the carriage of
their coals. He could not therefore allow the traffic to be again
adduced in favour of the proposed line.

Mr. AUSTIN did not intend to rely upon the traffic of those
places, He had merely mentioned them in the course of his re.