The Sun.
London, England, 1845-06-02 00:00:00

S CN, LONDON, MONDAY MORNING, JUNE 2, 1845.

cur in their prayer. Thought the cost of the line he should sug-
gest would not be one-half that of the projector. There would
be a few hundred yards of tunnelling, but not certainly any con-
siderable expense.

Mr. Blackadde, examined by Mr. FORSYTH—Has, within the last
fortnight, surveyed the line between Brechin and Friockheim, and
found it ten miles and two furlongs, without any engineering diffi-
culties, and requiring no tunnelling or other expensive works.
Mr. JastEs, (2,.C., declined cross-examining this witness, in con-
sequence of the sections of the projected line between Brechin and
Friockheim not having been deposited.
Mr. Guthrie, examined by Mr. FORSYTH—Is a town-couhcillor of
Brechin, and well acquainted with the district. The trade there
is considerable, Brechin consuming about 800 tons of flax annually,
partly manufactured in the town of Friockheim, and part exported
to Kerremuir and Forfar. Should consider a line between Bre-
chin and Montrose of the greatest importance to both towns, and
the shorter the route the greater the advantage. The distil-
leries in the neighbourhood of ilrechin are both numerous and
extensive, as also the stone quarries and other mineral works.
Cross•examlned by Mr. JAMES, Q.C.—The communication be.
tween Breehin and Montrose would not be complete without a
branch to Friockheim, in order to convey the traffic from Dundee.
David Black, examined by Mr. FORSYTH—Is town clerk of
the town of Brechin, and being acquainted with the feeling of the
inhabitans there, can prove it as decidedly in favour of the direct
line from Brechin to Montrose. The market of the former town
supplies a population of above 13,000. The terminus of the branch
proposed by the Aberdeen Railway is three-quarters of a mile dis-
tant from the town, and, therefore, very inconvenient to the traffic
of the district.

This having closed the evidence of the opponents of the Bill,
Mr. ArsrmEws, Q.C., on behalf of its promoters, brieUy addressed
the Committee in reply; the Learned Counsel confined himself to
submitting the opposition from the inhabitants of Montrose, the
.-:;;Airman having intimated that that from Brechin could not be
susta. .'4,
Stranger; were then ordered to withdraw; and on their re
admission
The 's'
of R
opinionl unced that the Committee were unani-
mously the preamble of the Bill had
Ci3AN h
a .4:
been proved ; that decision, however, while conclusive of the
necessity of the branch to Montrose, ;lid not settle the question of
terminus in that town, nor whether the whole line should be
worked by steam.power. Those points were still open, and re.
quiring more evidence to establish their expediency, the Committee
retained them in abeyance. .

Immediately after the decision, which was awaited for with the
most intense interest, the Committee adjourned till Monday next.

GROUP FF.
THE EDINBURGH AND NORTHERN
RAILWAY.

The Committee rwt again this morning at twelve o'clock, in
room No. 7, Lord Ashley in the chair. The evidence for the pre_
amble of the Bill was resumed.

Mr. James Wright examined by Mr. Sergeant BELLA6I3
Is manager to the Duke of Buccleuch's collieries. Had
examined the mineral fields of Fife, and went over the line of
railway then under consideration. It passes through extensive
coal districts in Fifeshire. The annual exportation of coals into
Perth is 33,000 tons, and out of this quantity 23,000 come into
England. By the construction of this railway the cost of carriage
from the Fife coal pits into Perth will be reduced about 7s. per ton.
The yearly income derived by this traffic along the line would be
7,9061. ss. The income from the line would be 2,3451. 10s. Bd.
Mr. James Wright examined by Mr. AvroN—The distance be-
tween the Lodigdly coal-pits and the line of proposed railway is
seven miles, and the road between the two points is good. If the
railway were to be constructed Perth would have its supply of
coals from Fifeshire.

Mr. William Marshall examined by Mr. Sergeant BELLASIS—
Resides at Leith, and has a full knowledge of the trade of that
place and the north of Scotland. Employed toll.keepers to
learn the amount of traffic passing this line of rail.
way. On one part of the line there are three coaches
daily. From Queensferry to Perth there are two coaches daily.
The number of passengers carried through Fife is 18,471 annually,
and through Queensferry 2,088. The total number car-
ried along the line, by public and private conveyances, is
609,873 annually. One-half of the number would be
carried by the railway in preference to sea voyage. The total
income from traffic of goods and passengers will be 69,0411. The
railway will most undoubtedly be of great public advantage; it
will open tp traffic which has now no means of conveyance but by
a long and circuitous route, most expensive and unfavourable to
the traders.

At this point of the inquiry the Committee adjourned till twelve
o'clock on Monday.