act of the Shrewsbury and Birmingham line being promoted by a
substantial and independent local party, is a legitimate ground of
preference, in addition to that already pointed out, of the superior
advantages afforded by the independent line to the populous mining
district between Wolverhampton and Birmingham.

As regards the line between Shrewsbury and Stafford, of which plans and
sections have likewise been deposited by the Grand Junction Company, it
appears sufficient to say, that although as a mere line for the town of
Shrewsbury, it might afford considerable advantages, it accomplishes none
of the more important advantages for the district at large which are held
out by the line to Birmingham.

We are of opinion, therefore, that the latter line is preferable to all
the competing schemes proposed, upon general grounds of public policy;
and we are aware of no public reasons why it should not receive the
sanction of Parliament.

At the same time, there are points of detail connected with it, more
especially as regards the mode of passing through the town of Birmingham,
and of effecting a junction with the London and Birmingham Railway, to
which we think that the attention of Parliament should be especially
directed. With regard to the first point, it depends to a great extent
upon considerations of private property, which we are precluded from
entertaining; but with regard to the second point, it appears to us of
the greatest importance that provision should be made for an
uninterrupted and convenient junction in Birmingham between the projected
line and that of the London and Birmingham Railway.

* * * * *

In conclusion, we beg to draw attention to the passage of the Fifth
Report of the Select Committee of last year, in which it is stated, in
recommending that Reports should be made to Parliament by this department
upon Railway Schemes, "That no such Report should be held to prejudice
the claims of private persons, the examination of which should be
altogether reserved to the Houses of the Legislature."

In submitting to Parliament, in conformity with the recommendations of
that Committee, the results at which we have arrived, with a view to the
information and assistance of Parliament in forming a judgment upon the
schemes in question, in so far as our Report may be available for that
purpose, we are anxious that it should be distinctly understood that we
have arrived at these results solely upon public grou