s and works so cut off; that the management and charges
of the Canal Company have always been of the most liberal description;
and finally, that owing to the peculiar nature of the district, in which
great excavations have been made for mining purposes, Railways cannot be
carried through it without danger.

It will be readily conceded that the importance of the district in
question is such as to entitle it to require the best means of
communication, whether by Canal or Railway. Between Wolverhampton and
Stourbridge there are at present about 100 blast furnaces in work,
producing about 468,000 tons of pig iron annually. In order to produce
this quantity, nearly 4,000,000 tons of coals, lime, ironstone, and other
raw materials are consumed, which are raised from the mines of the
district, and transported to the various furnaces, forges and founderies.

The export of iron from the district is about 240,000 tons annually, in
addition to large quantities of heavy hardwares, tin plates, glass, and
other goods. The export of coal is also very large, and might be greatly
augmented by increased facilities of communication.

The population, depending for support on the iron-works, mines, and
manufactories of the district, is estimated at not less than 230,000; and
the total population of the respective towns and places between
Wolverhampton and Worcester, which would be benefited by the proposed
Railway communication, is believed to exceed 300,000.

Among these towns may be mentioned Kidderminster, a place of considerable
manufacturing importance, and great intercourse with different parts of
the kingdom; Droitwich, with its extensive salt works; Stourbridge,
Stourport and Worcester.

The construction of a Railway in this direction will also lead, in all
probability, to extensions into the fertile agricultural district on the
west of the Severn, towards Leominster and Ludlow.

The claim of the district, therefore, to the most improved mode of
communication can hardly be disputed; and whatever claims Canal Companies
may have from benefits previously conferred, or from past liberality of
management, such claims cannot be considered by us in any other light
than those of other private interests, unless in so far as they may be
based upon public considerations.

Our Report will not, in any way, prejudice or affect the right of those
Canal Companies to have their vested interests, if any, carefully
considered by the Legislat