Inland Transit/Barnes
Mr. Frederick Barnes.—p. 86.
1. Are you a wholesale ironmonger?
I am.
2. Have you an establishment in Fenchurch-street?
I have.
3. And also an establishment at Birmingham?
I have.
4. Have you occasion to transmit orders for different description of goods to Birmingham?
Daily.
5. Are you concerned in the export trade?
I am.
6. Do you receive some of the packages up by coach?
Three or four every day from different manufactories, and always one or two from our own house.
7. Do you ever find that packages which you require to be conveyed by coach are in consequence expensive?
Very frequently
8. Is that a considerable embarrassment to your trade?
Very much so.
9. Have you had packages refused by the Albion, the Emerald, or the Greyhound?
Yes. The answer was, "Mr. Barnes, you would not like to travel in a coach with 800 or 900 lbs, on the top of it or in the boot."
10. Have you sustained any loss by it in your business?
Very decidedly; in fact it has been the ruin of our business.
11. Can you give any instances?
I have now an order for a quantity of goods which, if I could get up in the course of two or three days from this, would be in time for shipment, otherwise they must lie in my warehouse for a month or six weeks, or two months.
12. The rapid transit of these goods by means of a Railroad would enable you to effect those orders on which you at present have these difficulties?
Yes. I sent the order on Thursday night; they would not be able to make the glass till Monday; it will be positively ready on Tuesday, and if I could get it on Wednesday morning it would be in sufficient time. It is for Demerara, and I must bring it up by coach to get it in time. They are shades for candlesticks, and I cannot send the candelabras out without the shades.
Three months ago I had a large order for arms; it is not for me to say where they were going; but they were wanted directly; I did not get them all in time, and many were thrown on my hands, although I shipped some of them at three o'clock on Saturday.
17. Do you then, in point of fact, find from experience that expedition and certainty as to the article you want to export is of the greatest importance to you in your trade?
It is most invaluable to us.
18. If a Railroad was established between Birmingham and London, would it be a considerable benefit to your trade?
Certainly; I am quite sure my business would increase very considerably.