The Sun.
London, England, 1845-07-23 00:00:00

The examination of these two witnesses, all the substantial facts
of which have been stated, occupied the Committee the entire day.
Their Lordships adjourned until to• morrow.

oxportD, 17,701/cr.- s rErz, A•ant) WOLVEU-

iI.P.TYLPTON SLAY .4YAY.

The Committee met to. day at eleven o'clock, Lord Auckland in
the chair, when
Mr. D►NIZLL proceeded to address the Committee on behalf of
the Birmingham and Gloucester Company against the Bill. Ia a
speech of some length he endeavoured to show that the proposed
line would operate as a competing scheme of a meat injurious cha-
racter, while it would afford but imperfect accommodation to the
district. The Birmingham and Gloucester Company were fully
prepared to carryout all necessary extensions that were required for
the wants of the public, and ought to be allowed the privilege of
doing so without the interference of a third party. He prayed the
Committee at least to postpone the Bill to give time for re-consi-
deration.

Mr. WALPOLE, on behalf of Lord Redesdale, then briefly ad.
dressed the Committee, contending that the deviation line would
be better calculated to serve the district than the one which had
been proposed, without interfering with the grounds of his client.
He considered that the least that should be done was to postpone
the Bill, in order to allow competing engineers to examine into its
merits. More especially was delay called for, not only on this
ground, but on account of the clauses respecting traffic which had
been surreptitiously introduced into the Bill.
Mr. TALBOT then proceeded to address the Committee in reply,
and in behalf of the Bill before the Committee. He went at
length into the whole case, addressing himself to all the points
which had been adduced before the Committee against the Bill by
the several petitioners. He discussed the objections on the subject
of transhipment, the difference of gauges, and the question otcompeti.
tion between the London arid Birmingham and the Birmingham and
Gloucester Railways, which he considered preposterous and absurd,
especially when it was considered that the London and Birmingham
line was seeking a way direct to Manchester, independent of the
Gra,id Junction, through the projected Trent Valley and other
schemes ; and that Mr. Hudson, the great amalgamator
of railways, had guaranteed the shareholders of the Birming-
ham and Gloucester 6 per cent, on their capital.
Having gone through this part of his subject he went into that of
the estimates which had been impugned, showing that the answers
of Mr. Brunel clearly met that objection, and concluded by speak-
ing to the toll clauses, which he affirmed were no breach of faith,
but had been fairly introduced into the Bill, the tolls of which
were considerably lower than those proposed by the Tring scheme.

On the termination of the Learned Gentleman's address

The Noble CHAIRMAN intimated that the promoters of the Bill
had better be prepared with their clauses in the morning, so that
all might be before them betore giving the decision on the
preamble.
The Committee then adjourned till to-morrow at eleven o'clock.

RUNCORN AND PRESTON DOOR
ILATZWAY.

The Committee to whom this line was referred re, assembled to-
day at eleven o'clock. Present—Lord Camoys, Chairman ; the
Duke of Leeds, the Earl cf Uxbridge, Lord Kinnoul, and the
Marquis of Londonderry. _

The case of the promoters of the line having closed yesterday,
the rebutting case, on behalf of the opposing petitioners, was
called on.

Mr. HOPE opened the proceedings, and contended at great
length that the promoters had made out no case
whatever. The traffic in pottery, coals, salt gro-
ceries, passengers, Ike., had been greatly overstated, and
it was much better accommodated by the existing modes of con-
veyance than it would be by the proposed line. The Learned
Counsel, after alluding to the engineering difficulties on the line, and
to the design of the promoters to make it merely subservient to
another and far more extensive scheme, by which a monopoly
would be conferred on the Grand Junction Company, concluded a very
lengthened statement by calling on their Lordships not to suppport
a scheme based on such erroneous fallacies as to its estimated traffic,
and designed to effect such a formidable monopoly as was con-
templated.
Evideme was then called in support 6f these statements.
Messrs. John Bladon, Robert Brown, Abingdon, and Leslie
deposed to the superiority of the canal to the conveyance by rail
for the traffic of the district, and were severally subjected to a long
cross-examination, but the details are of no public interest what-

ever.
The Committee then adjourned till half past eleven o'clock to-
morrow, when Mr. Lowndes will reply.

IRISH GREAT WESTERN (DUBLIN AND
GALWAY) RAILWAY.

Their Lordships met at eleven o'clock, in the Lord Chancellors'
Court, Earl Bathurst in the chair. The other Noble Lords pre-
sent were Earl Wynford, Lords Calthorpe, Lilford, and Forester.
The line of evidence which had been pursued on the previous
day was not resumed.
Mr. Rowe proceeded to call on a different class of witnesses.
Several subscribers had caused letters to be sent to the different
provincial postmasters to various addresses. The first was the
case of

Mr. Frederick Bond Hughes, whose name was affixed to the sub-
scription deed for 2,0001.

Mr. Rowe called

Mr. Brewer, postmaster of Reigate, who deposed that he received
letters fcr a gentleman in London, who designated himself as Frede-
rick Bond Hughes, of Newington.terrace, Dover.road. Witness, ac-
cording to this gentleman's direction; took in letters so addressed.
Knew no such person residing at Reigate. The letters were regu-
larly forwarded to Reigate, and from London letters were sent by Mr.
Hughes, which passed through the Reigate post-office, and which
were addressed to several railway companies about the country.

Mr. Reed, a gentleman in the service of the Company, was next
examined—He deposed that he had in his custody a great number
of letters of allotment. Several letters came from Glyn's bank
with their backs torn off, but those which came from the Union
Bank were entire. The signing of the deed took place in the
Company's offices in Combat. There were two rooms there, one
of which witness occupied a good deal, and the other, an inner room,
the Committee met in. There was a Committee of Directors ap-
pointed to superintend the allotment of shares. Witness went
into the employment of the Company in November, after the
allotment of shares had taken place. Meetings of the Committee
were held once and sometimes twice a week. Sir William Young
gave up the prominent position he occupied as chairman, and it
was occupied by General Caulfield subsequently. Heard
that the reason that Sir William Young gave up the post
was ill health. Mr. Fitzstephen French was Chairman of
the Parliamentary Committee. No signatures to the deed took
place on Christmas.day. A great number of signatures were
affixed to the deed on the 26th and 27th of December. On those
days General Caulfield and Mr. Whitmore looked in perhaps once
or twice to see what progress had been made. Every precaution
bad been taken to prevent any improper signing of the deed, and
in one instance, where a party put down a fictitious signature,
he was instantly expelled from the room. The expunging of this
fictitious name accounted for the erasure which appeared on
the deed.

Mr. Rows stated that a petition had been presented against the
Bill by a Mr. Barry, and it appeared by a note on the minute-
book that he (Mr. Barry) had been induced to withdraw his opposi-
tion by a sum of 2b01., and 5001. in case the Bill passed success-
fully through the Stainding Orders' Committee. This arrangement
was reported to the Committee by Mr. F. French. The Bill was
happily thrown out by the Standing Orders' Committee.
Mr. George Ward, postmaster at St. Alban's, deposed that he
had received letters from Mr. Edward Grogan at St. Alban's.
That person wrote several letters to him from October to the
present time. He received a letter from Mr. Grogan requesting
witness to send such letters as might reach the St. Alban's post-
office for him to Park.place, Devonshire-street, Mile-end-road.
Mr. Grogan signed for 5001. _

Witness proceeded to say that he sent several letters there for
him. Never knew any such person as Mr. Edward Grogan.
the next case was that of Mr. Anderson Clifford, who was a
subscriber to the deed for 1,5001.
Mrs. Jane Caroline Evitts, postmistress at Staines, gave evidence
showing that precisely the same sort of machinery had been used in
this'case as in the other.

' The next case was that of William Henry Drummond, gentle.
man, Watford—sum subscribed, 1,0001. ; date Dec. 1844 ; sum
paid up 501.
Mr. Hearne, postmaster at Watford, gave evidence of a similar
nature.

The next case was that of Mr. Alfred Weeking, who appeared
on the subscribing deed as a gentleman residing at Goole—sum
subscribed for 1,000/. ; sum paid up 50/. ; date Dec. 1844.

The postmaster at Goole furnished the same sort of testimony.
William Shackell, gentleman, Maidenhead, Berks, 3,50U1.;
sum paid up 1751., was the next name on the ded.
Mr. Robinson, postmaster at Maidenhead, deposed that he knew
no such person as Mr. Shackell residing at Maidenhead.
Mr. Shackell came forward to be examined. He stated that he
held a commission iu her Majesty's service. Was a cornet. The
date of his commission was 1815.

The Committee, after hearing Mr. AUSTIN and Mr. ROWE at
considerable length, decided upon not entering into the merits of
the Bill without further notice from the House, if the allegations
contained in the petition of Mr. Pym were considered proved.
The evidence of Mr. Shackell was resumed—Lived for some
time with his brother in Maidenhead. Received a pension of 261.
a year from the Charter-house. Was paid it quarterly. Did not
alwaysstop with his brother. Signed this contract deed, but did
not know for whatamount, nor the number of shares he had in it.
Was at his•brother's last Christmas. Might have been in London
on Christmas-day, and had signed deeds within the last year to the
amount of 50,0001., but could not then recollect the exact time at
which lie signed those deeds. Did not think it a prudent thing to
keep any railway shares. He gave them to his broker, who disposed
of them to the best advantage.— (Laughter.) Paid deposits on the
shares. Gave a reference to Cox and Greenwood's, from whom be
received his half-pay.

. _
Mr. Edward Smith, stone merchant, 5, Regent's-wharf, City_
basin, 7501., was the next name on the list.
Mr. Smith deposed that his name and address was accurately de-
scribed on the deed, but he had not signed it, nor authorised any
one to sign it.
cross-examined—His clerk might have written for some railway
shares—he spoke to witness on the subject.
The next name was George Stanley, Esq., Hill house, South.
ampton-7,500/. _ _ - . . .

. .
it appeared from the evidence that Mr. Stanley had no fixed re.
sidence ; that numerous executions and writs have been issued
against him ; that Hill-house is on the very boundary of the
county and borough near Southampton ; and the sheriff's officer
swore that by stepping out at one door he avoided the sheriff's
officer of the borough and got into the county, and vice versa when
the county officer came, so that neither could catch him.
Mr. Taylor, in answer to a question from Mr. Rowe, said they
would b prepared fully to justify the Company, and to show that
they had acted in an honourable and straightforward manner, but
would not attempt to controvert a great number of the ceecs brought
under the notice of the Committee.

The Committee adjourned till to-morrow morning at 11 o'clock

'MUSE OF COMMONS.
GROUP X.
MOST IMPORTANT.

DXCISZ.ON ON THE LONDON AND
'7012,31E MINES.

Committee Room, Group X., Two o'clock.

This being the day appointed for giving the decision on the
competing lines of the Direct Northern and London and
York, with their several collateral projects, all approaches
to Ifkoup X were crowded long before the period
for the assembling of Members. The most intense anxiety, as may
be easily imagined, was evinced to learn the fate of these gigantic
rivals, and the excitement was even greater than that which cha-
racterised the memorable termination of " the battle of the gauges."
Heavy bets were freely laid by the adherents of both Companies as
to the approaching issue, and as freely, if not with avidity, accepted.
Quarter to Three.

The Members of the Committee, Lord Courtenay (Chairman),
Mr. P. Scrope, Mr. Darby, and Mr. B. Wall, arrived at a quarter
past two, and still remain in deliberation. The room and its every
access is crowded to suffocation—the excitement indescribable, and
momentarily increasing.
•

Quarter past Four.
The Committee have this moment entered, and, amid the most
profound silence,

•
The CHAIRAIAN said—l am instructed to say that the Committee
have come to the resolution that the PREAMBLE of the LON-
DON and YORK COMPANY'S BILL IS PROVED, omitting
the branches to Wakefield and Sheffield, which they consider it
advisable to postpone for subsequent legislation.

This announcement was received with loud cheers.

Mr. Sergeant WRANGIIAM then made application for the Corn-
mittee, cr seme member of it, to move in the House of Commons,
that the preamble be received without the Sheffield and Wabefield
branches.

Lord CtruaraNay stated that the Committee could not be re-
sponsible for any future proceedings, but they intended that the next