BRAITHWAITE AND BUTTE RMERE RAILWAY.
(To THE EDITOR OF THE .` SPECTATOR:)
Sra,—Will you allow me space to call attention to a matter„ recently come to light, which deserves not only that careful consideration which I have no doubt a Parliamentary Com- mittee will give it, but some public criticism also
One of the clauses of the petition to the Lords against the- projected line, which has been largely signed by the resident gentry, the land-owners, the hotel-keepers, and the tradesmen or Keswick, tells us—I quote from memory—" That the petitioners hear and do verily believe that the promoters of the said line would not have applied for Parliamentary powers, had they not been compelled to do so by the terms of the Honister quarry. lease."
This, if it be the fact, means that the Lord of the Manor has- insisted, as part of his bargain with the lessees, that they shall go to Parliament and ask for powers to take away common's rights ;, run amuck through the most valuable residential and private. properties on the west shore of Derwentwater ; practically close one of the most favourite carriage-drives in the neighbourhood; damage the most enduring commercial interests of the trades- men, lodgingliouse-keepers, and hotel-keepers of Keswick, Grange, and Borrowsiale ; and do such harm to the natural' quiet and beauty of the Lake and Vale as will be little less than a national misfortune.
That this is the fact, we infer from what, as we are informed, occurred a few years since, in connection with these same- quarries. A lease was being entered into, had got so far that the agent of the noble owner had told the lessees they might. get their plant and begin, when a clause was insisted on to the
effect that, as part of the bargain, they must construct this railway. The lessees said it could not pay them to do so, but told the noble owner, if he would construct the line, they would pay freightage over it for their slate. His Lordship refused,. and the lease fell to the ground. Though Honister slate was paying 90s. then, as opposed to 64s. a ton now, I trust the- matter will receive the attention it deserves.—I am, Sir, &c.,,
H. B. RAWESLEY, Hon. See., Borrowdale and Dervventwater Defence Fund:
P.S.—If any of our numerous friends who know the fact of the projected line or this district will correspond personally, with the Lords during the next few days, the information they can give will, no doubt,, strengthen the hands of the Peers when they vote upon the Report from the Select Committee.
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