England) Knaresbrough Rail-Way Committee (Knaresborough

“ With regard to the tonnage arising from Linens, it alone will not be considerable, but as it is one article of tonnage in a descending direction, we beg leave to class with it, that of Linen Yarns, for should, by this improved mode of conveyance, either of these increase in quantity in a descending direction, the other as naturally will decrease, and as a considerable proportion of Yarns made in this neighbourhood, finds a market at Barnsley, and in that direction, it is presumed that along the Railway, and thence by a Barnsley boat, will be the cheapest mode of conveyance ”

“ The object of extending the work thus far, was, in order to secure the back carriage of the lead, which is produced on a large scale in that neighbourhood, besides the excellent lime for agricultural purposes made at Greenhow-Hill, and the very excellent stone to be had there for making and repairing of highways; together with the inexhaustible quantities of stone for all purposes of building, which by the accounts we have of it, cannot be excelled; and also the produce of many flax and cotton mills, all of which are turned by water, and hence more likely to increase in number than diminish ”

“ Having stated such as we can at present call the ascending tonnage, our next duty is to say what there is which presents itself, that we can rely upon for a descending tonnage, more than what hath already been treated of.
Of these we find a tolerable variety, and of some articles a never failing supply; viz. lead; stone for building; stone for highways; lime and lime stone; slates; flags; oak bark; wood; cotton twist; Irish flax and linens; ashes and several other kinds of American produce ”

“ It is probable the expense of delivering this stone at Pateley-bridge, might be reduced by the application of a Railway from that place to the quarry; by this estimate horses are expected to be used; it is also possible to remove it from the waggon to the boat at less than is stated above.
The neighbourhood of Pateley-bridge possessing many water-falls on which more mills might be built, gave rise to an idea of cutting this last-mentioned stone by water-sawing, into scantlings for fire-places, hearths, and slabs ”

“ To the Noblemen and Gentlemen who have money vested in the security of the tolls, arising from the highways contiguous to the line, we beg to offer some observations, particularly to those who may feel alarm for their interests:—It is the opinion of others, better informed on these subjects than ourselves, that instead of reducing the annual amount of tolls, they have invariably been found to increase, particularly on such roads as cut the line in a transverse direction ”

“ First takes our attention. This article from time immemorial has been extracted from the bowels of the earth, at Greenhowhill, near Pateley-Bridge, in large quantities, the greatest part of which, of late years, has been carted to Ripon, a distance of twelve miles, and thence shipped for Hull, at an expense of one pound per ton. ”

“ The line, for a single Rail-way, will then wind along the North bank of p. 13the valley, till it crosses the Nidd by another bridge, the clumps of trees on Scotton Moor; from this point it will keep on very favourable ground along the South side of the river, passing half way between Killinghall village and Killinghall bridge; thence through the middle of Hampsthwaite village, and close by Wreaksmill crossing the Nidd again below the village of Birstwith; after which it winds along the North bank of the River Nidd to Pateley-Bridge. ”

“ Another reason why it hath not made equal progress with other places, may be the length of time manufactured goods are on their passage to London, where there is a market for every thing every day; the port of York is the only one where these goods have been shipped, and from what cause we cannot say, but they have been frequently so long on their passage, that good connections have been entirely lost on that account ”

“ Such as we conceive to be of the most general importance, first attracts notice, which is the article of
COAL,
Wherein there is little doubt but a saving of eight shillings per chaldron will, on the completion of the work, be effected—a most material object for the poor, and the general benefit of commerce. ”

“ In presuming upon any increase of tonnage on this head, we feel equally safe as on any other, or more so; for if the present mills turned by water, and spinning Flax were found insufficient, some corn-mills might easily be converted, and in lieu of them, wind-mills might be erected, for which purpose many fine situations present themselves on both sides of the valley, where there is abundance of stone and lime always contiguous, which p. ”

“ By the above statements it appears the project will cost £92,830; and the amount of revenue arising from such tonnage as is comprehensible, will amount annually to £7,322. 12s. 6d. which is rather more than 8 per cent. per annum for the shareholders, independent of 39,090 tons more which the works will be able to perform, if required, and which from the low price of one penny per ton for Rail dues, for twenty miles, will amount to £3,257. ”

“ By the foregoing statement the tonnage of the Knaresbro’ and Pateley-Bridge coal, when it reaches Knaresbro’, will yield a revenue of £3200. annually, being 21,335 tons, at 2d. per ton, per mile, for 18 miles, and the tonnage on the coal belonging the district up to Pateley-Bridge will be 6000 tons, for 6 miles, the average distance at 2d. per ton, per mile, or £303. 0s. 0d. making together £3503. 0s. 0d.
The next topic for our consideration which naturally presents itself, is the surplus
PRODUCE OF THE SOIL,
Which although composed of a great variety, we shall here only notice that of Corn ”

“ Or as may regard its importance by the constant employment it will afford to nearly all ages and classes of people, who may be concerned directly or indirectly in the manufacture of Yarns, Linens, and Cottons, and probably at better wages than are regularly paid at other manufacturing places, for should a considerable saving of carriage be effected, together with the quick dispatch and transport of goods from place to place, as we have contemplated ”

“ About the latter end of May following, this gentleman visited Knaresbro’, viewed the localities of the place, took running and comparative levels over the shortest and most convenient ground, to the higher side of Linton-lock, and also towards Tadcaster. In the latter direction, as being a more direct communication with the port of Hull, he fully recommended a close survey to be made, for which purpose he sent his assistant Mr. ”

“ The increase of population, while speaking of this article, must not be omitted, since, in the last twenty-one years it hath increased from four to near seven thousand, including Knaresbro’, Scriven-with-Tentergate, and p. ”