RAILWAY COMBINATIONS.
[TO THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR.".1
SIR,—An "Old-Fashioned Liberal" and the writer of the editorial note appended to his letter in last week's Spectator appear to be in such complete darkness as to the facts concerning the Great Northern and Great Central agree- ment, and the law relating to such matters, that I am induced to write to you. An agreement of the nature referred to between the companies was authorised by a special Act of Parliament as long ago as 1858. Your correspondent is also mistaken in thinking that the agreement is to go before the Railway Commissioners on January 20th (sic). The confusion is probably due to his having seen an advertisement stating that objections must be sent to the Registrar before the 21st. The time has, however, been extended on the application of certain objectors. It is, of course, open to question whether the agreement that has been entered into is authorised by the Act of 1858. I am uncertain whether I follow the train of thought underlying the editorial note ; but surely it must have been written without knowledge of Section 87 of the Railways Clauses Act, 1845, and the numerous cases decided under it, particularly "Hare v. L. & N. W. Railway Co."—
Previous page
