ure.

Upon public grounds, therefore, we have merely had to consider the
allegation that the interests of the district will not be promoted by the
introduction of Railways, and that Railways cannot be constructed through
it without danger.

Upon the first point it seems sufficient to refer to the unanimous
opinion of the parties principally interested, and who have the best
opportunities of judging of the effects likely to follow from the
introduction of Railways. The only difference of opinion has arisen from
the anxiety of the parties to obtain a Railway of some description or
other, which has led them to support different competing schemes; but all
parties have united in the strongest representations of the vital
importance to the district of obtaining a good Railway communication, in
addition to those afforded by the Canals. A memorial signed by the
representatives of 46 iron-works, 57 furnaces, and 98 collieries, in the
Staffordshire mineral district, including the trustees of Lord Ward, from
whose estate alone upwards of 1,000,000 tons of coal and iron are raised
annually, in favour of the London and Birmingham scheme; and another
memorial, representing 37 iron-works, and 9 collieries, in favour of the
Great Western scheme, were presented to us; the memorialists in each case
urging in the strongest manner the advantages of Railway communication to
the district.

It is stated, that without such communication, they have to compete at a
great disadvantage with the iron districts of South Wales and Scotland,
which, from their readier access to the sea, can convey their products to
market at a cheaper rate. The Canals are stated to be not only more
tedious and expensive, but subject to serious interruptions, often for
weeks together, from frost in winter and drought in summer. In short, it
is urged that the apprehensions of the Canal Companies are the best test
of the further advantage of a Railway; since unless the latter obtained a
large proportion of the heavy traffic, which it could only do by
affording the public a better and cheaper means of transport, the
interests of the Canals could not be prejudiced.

With so strongly expressed a wish on the part of such an important
district for Railway communication, and with two great Companies
competing with one another to afford it, we do not think that, upon
public grounds, we should be justified in reporting that it ought to be
withheld on account of any appreh