§ Mr. Sadlerpresented a Petition from certain proprietors of lands in the neighbourhood of the line of the projected Railway between Leeds and Selby, against the bill now in progress; and on Mr. Marshall moving the second reading of the bill,
§ Mr. Sadleropposed the Motion, on the ground of the injury and inconvenience which the railway would occasion to the petitioners. The utility of railways in cases where water communications existed was as yet doubtful; but let it be established that they were of importance, and the petitioners were ready to sacrifice their private convenience to the public good, and abandon all opposition to the bill. The experiment as to the advantage of railways was in progress; when it should have been completed, it would be time enough to pass such a bill as the present.
Mr. Marshallspoke of the advantages that would result from the proposed railway, and added that the great majority of landed proprietors upon the line had assented to the measure.
Mr. F. Wilsonopposed the bill, as involving an attack upon the interest of the proprietors of the Aire and Calder navigation.
§ Mr. Sykessupported the bill. The intended railway would be of the greatest public benefit. He was not surprised at the opposition of the hon. Member for York, who received dividends to the amount of 10,000l. a year out of the Aire and Calder navigation, though he was at the opposition of the hon. Member for Newark (Mr. Sadler), who being interested in the town of Leeds, might be expected to support the bill.
§ Bill read a second time.