The Sun.
London, England, 1845-05-27 00:00:00

' East Coast line, it would be the most convenient
for him. The distance between London and Edinburgh by the
Bast Coast Railway is 389 miles, and by the Caledonian the dis_
tance is about 400 miles. He was of opinion, that on the subject
of carrying the line northward from Carlisle, there were several
important points to be kept in view, especially as regarded the
communication with the west of Scotland, and from
the Lancashire districts to Scotland and the coast of
Ireland. The terminus at Carlisle was conveniently situated
to form a mention with the terrninii of the different railways
there, and weekd communicate with all the lines radiating from
Carlisle on every side. The distance to Dumfries by the Niths.
dale line was very much shorter than by the Caledonian Railway,
and was, in every respect, more convenient. The country between
Carlisle and Dumfries is generally fiat and easy. From Dumfries the
line begins to ascend the valley of the Nith, and here the works
would be tolerably light. There were several villages in the
valley, and the soil was rich in agricultural produce—it termed part
of the estates of the Duke of Marlborough, and the line would pass
for 22 miles through his property. The summit of the line was
attained at a point between Kirkconnel and Old Cumnock. At
New Curntiock the railway passes through the large mineral field
belonging to Lord Bute, and it was very important that the
highest level was situated near it, as the mineral produce could be
conveyed in either direction. The distance between Carlisle and
New Cunnock was 91 miles. The only gradient on the line
steeper than 1 in 176 was one coming from Kilmarnock, three
miles in lengih, and consisting of one in a hundred ; and it was

proposed to have a constant engine stationed there, The gradients
were all ver; conveniently situated along the line. The
highest elevation was attained at Cumnock, where the
railway would be carried at six hundred feet above the
level of the sea. There would be two tunnels on the line, one
of which was near Kilmarnock, of 660 yards in length ; and an-
other at Drumlanrig, to avoid injuring the estate of the Duke of
Buccleuch, of 1,500 yards long. The character of the strata
through which the tunnels worked was very easy, as the soil con-
sisted for the most part of red sand •stone. The stations at
Paisley, Glasgow, and Greenock, were all very conve-
niently situated. T.e levels of the line to Glasgow were
all of a favourable nature; and it was intended to carry the rail_
way into the heart of that city, through the medium of the Glas.
gow Junction line. He was of opinion that as far as the com-
mercial, agricultural, and mineral interests of the counties through
which the Dumfries line would pass, were concerned, it was far
preferable to the Caledonian. The Hawick line was carried thirty.
two miles through the property of the Duke of Buccleuch, who
approved of the scheme. The estimated expense of the railway
was 1,200,0001., and the working expenses were calculated at
33 1.3 per cent on the gross receipts.
Mr. Miller admitted, on his cross-examination, that there were
two gradients on the Ilawick line of I in 75 atilt 1 in 90.
In the course of the cross-examination a messenger from the
Commons announced that the Speaker was at prayers, and the Com-
mittee adjourned till half past eleven to-morrow.

Group Q.
The Committee on this Group, composed of Mr. Sotheron
(Chairman), Mr. T. Posey, Mr. Escott, Sir E. Colebrooke, and
Lord Duncan, sat to-day on the

NORTH WALES RAILWAY.
Our readers will recollect that the consideration of this railway
was adjourned to enable the engineer, Sir J. Rennie, to give seine
additional evidence.

Mr. CALvEtcr, on behalf of the promoters, stated that the opposi-
tion of Mr. Wynn was withdrawn, on consideration of a speeial
agreement having been entered into lay the Company not to take
his land without consent, and also to extend the line from Bargin
and Caernarvon to Port Dynliaati.

A further opposition, however, was offered by Mr. Whalley, a
coalowner in the district, in consequence, as he stated, of the Directors
of the Company having made arrangements with him, and then
having 9ffered equal advantages t• another coalowner, although lie
held an incumbrance on a large property through which the rail_
way passes, to the extent of 40,0101; but this opposition was ulti.
mately abandoned. The preamble was then allowed to be proved,
and the Committee went through the clauses of the bill, when
some discussion ensued on the rates of toll, which were decided to
be 3d., 2d., and lid, per mile for first, second, and third-class pas-
sengers. These alterations having been made, the report was
agreed to, and ordered to be made to the House.

Group V.
SHEFFIELD AND CHESTERFIELD.
(Continued from our Afternoon Ecution of yesterday.)
Edward Rangeley, coal agent, Whittington, parish of Derby—
Was lessee of certain coalfields, and the proposed line would
pass through them. The witness mentioned the great majority of
the coalfields in his neighbourhood. The line would be con-
tiguous to all of them. The coal was of a valuable character, and
would be just suited to the trade of Sheffield. Their only mode
of conveyance now was by horse and cart, but if these lines were
made, it would be wrought to a four-fold extent. They had also
an abundance of iron-stone, which only wanted 2111 easy transit to
be worked to a very great extent.
Cross-examined by Mr. JOHNSON—Dronfield, the end of the
coal.field nearest Sheffield, was six miles from Sheffield. It
abounded in iron.stone, and there was a great demand for it in the
latter town.

The witness was cross-examined by Mr. James—There was a
considerable delay on the present railway from Sheffield to Chester-
field, which he thought would be obviated if the proposed line were
constructed.

By the Cosnurrne—The coach fares were lower from Sheffield
to Chesterfield than the railway charges were.
Samuel Lucas, owner of certain coal lands at Dronfield—Had
converting coal on his property, and used it himself. But very
little of it had been used. He made between two hundred and three
hundred tons of coke every week, which was sent principally to
Sheffield. He should be glad to see the railway opened, as it
would give au impetus to the coal and iron workings of Dronfleld.
The coal would extend for forty-Ave square miles in the direction
of Chesterfield. He should say there were 10,000 acres in the
Dronfield district.

The Committee then adjourned till ten o'clock to-morrow.