The Sun.
London, England, 1845-05-20 00:00:00

(LIFT SITTING.)

, Group DD. T:
GLASGOW, DUMFRIES, AND CARLISLE RAILWAY.
The Committee re-assembled this morning at half past eleven,
and soon after proceeded with the business before them. r
Mr. Andrews was proceeding to address the Committee on be-
half of the promoters of the Glasgow, Dumfries, and Carlisle Rail-
way, when he was interrupted by Mr. Worrowgow Greig, who stated
he appeared to oppose the railway on behalf of the Carlisle Canal
Company.

Mr. Andrews then resumed—He said he felt that in addressing
the Committee he was placed in rather a difficult position, owing to
the length of time during which they had been attentively engaged
in the consideration of the opposing scheme. He would, however,
request that the Committee would discard for the present
from their minds the evidenca which they had heard in favour
of tho other line, and give his statonents as full and open a hear.
ing as they had already vouchsafed. The present scheme offered
a case of the highest importance in every respect. The expense
that had been hitherto incurred by the two competing lines was a
matter of great moment, and if either party were to lose their
case, what an enormous sum of money would have been uselessly
squandered. The case was further of importance, as it involved
altogether a capital of no less than 3,000,0001. But it was, per-
haps, of still greater importance, when it was considered that the
general interests of the country through which the lines were in.
tended to pass were necessarily connected with them. These
considerations were of so high and engrossing a nature,
that he felt satisfied the Committee, seeing their
great importance, would give him their anxious and
patient attention. After having troubled the Committee
with these short introductory remarks, he wr uld at once proceed to
lay the entire case before them. The principal question for the
Committee to decide was, which of the two competing lines was to
have the preference. The object of the Bill, in support of which he
appeared, was to make a railway from Carlisle through Annan and
Dumfries, up to the Kilmarnock Railway, which it would join at
Kilmarnock, and thence proceed to Glasgow. This line as laid down
would open a communication both with the north and the south,
and also with the important port of Annan, which was the most
extensive haven on the Solway Forth. A combination would also
be effected with Dumfries, a town containing upwards of 14,000
inhabitants. Dumfries would thus obtain a direct con.
nexion with London and the west of England, and with
a I the important districts of the north of Ireland, which latter
communication would be obtained by the route of the railway
through Port Patrick, and thence by steam-boats to Ireland. The
line would also give every facility for communication to the large
districts included in Ayrshire, Kilmarnock, and the whole of the
west coast. Kireudbrightshire, with its population of 283,000
people, would reap large benefits from the line. The large
manufacturing and mineral interests in Renfrewehire, Paisley,
Greenock, and Port Glasgow would also greatly participate in the
beneficial results arising from the formation of the rai-way. The
Learned Counsel then read an extract from Mr. Locke's report,
which was as follows :--":Of the advantage to all the towns in
Scotland, through or near to which this line will pass, no
adequate idea can be formed—they exist in the most
favourable part of Scotland, requiring only a cheap
means of transport to develepe the many resources
they possess. Several of these towns have already grown into some
importance; and it should be an object with the proprietors of the
soil, and with the manufacturers of the district, to encourage the
formation of a road like the one proposed, so as to ex-
tend to them the benefits which it is capable of afford-
ing." He had now stated the general route of the line
with some of its advantages. The terminus at Glasgow was
proposed to be erected in Bridge-street, closely approximating to
the harbour, and was very conveniently situated for the accom
modation of passengers and goods. It was also intended to form a
junction with the termini of the Ayr line to the Edin-
burgh and Glasgow Railway, the effect of which union
would be to give an immediate communication with the
post-office. He would say nothing about the terminus
at Carlisle, that being the most unexceptionable on
the entire line. The most severe gradient throughout the whole
course of the railway was only I in 100. There were no tunnels
required, and the levels along the line were generally favourable.
lie would trouble the Committee with another short extract from
Mr. Locke's report on this head as follows :—" Of the levels of this
route I tray say, that from Carlisle to Dumfries, about thirty
miles, the only inclinations will be those which it may be de-
/ irable to encounter for the purpose of saving money, those two
towns being nearly on the same level, with the exception
of the bridges across the rivers Eden, Esk, Sark, and Annan,
which will neither be high nor very long : no very
i con-
siderable outlay will be required ; the ground in some parts s un-
dulating, but not so as to render the formation of the road either
difficult or expensive. From Dumfries to Thornhill the ground
very favourable ; above Thornhill, passing by Drumlanrig Castle
towards Sanquhar, the valley for several miles becomes narrow,
but again expands towards Sanquhar, and continues very favour-
able to the summit." To this statement the opposing patty had of-
fered no objection, nor had they asked a single queAition roger ding it
although every opportunity had been afforded them for 09,,,,.M.ng!