Wandsworth Common

1863

Sun (London) — Wednesday 18 February 1863

DREADFUL SUlClDE.Yesterday morning the police authorities at Scotland-yard received intelligence of a dreadful suicide committed near the Patriotic Asylum, Wandsworth. common. It appears that on Monday Wm. Cedes, a postmaster, carrying on business as a baker in York road, Battersea, was seen by two platelayers loitering near the West-end and Crystal Palace Railway at Wan dsworth -common, and on the approach of the Brighton express train he ran down the embankment and placed his head upon the metals. The train immediately passed over it, smashing it in a most dreadful manner. To such an extent was the poor man's head crushed that he could only be identified by his clothes. His remains were carried to the workhouse of the Wandsworth and Clapham Union, to await an inquest.

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The BNA records about 30 similar (typically verbatim) reports over the next week, from all over the country, including

Barrow Herald

Irish Times, Dublin

Cork Daily Herald


Bell's Life in London and Sporting Chronicle — Sunday 22 February 1863

Dreadful Suicide.On Tuesday morning the police authorities at Sootlaud-yard received intelligence of a dreadful suicide committed near the Patriotic Asylum. Wandsworth Common. It appears that on Monday William Cades, a postmaster, carrying on business as a baker in York-road. Battersea, was seen two plate-layers loitering near the West End and Crystal Palace Itailway Wandsworth Common: and on the approach of the Brigh ton express train he ran down the embankment and placed nis head upon the metals. The train immediately passed over it. smashing it in most dreadful manner. To such an extent was the poor man's head crushed that could only identified byhis clothes. His remains were carried the workhouse of the Wandsworth and Clsphsra Union, await inquest. From the inquiries made of his friends it appears that the deceased had been in desponding state for some time.

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Birmingham Daily Post — Thursday 2 April 1863

SEARCH e.g.


"TEETOTALLERS?

Illustrated Sporting News and Theatrical and Musical Review — Saturday 18 April 1863

WANDSWORTH WORKING MEN'S REFORM TEETOTAL CLUB v. CHELSEA TEETOTAL CLUB

This match was played at Wandsworth Common on Easter Monday, April 6.

Score: — Wandsworth 111 and 47, obtained thus; W. CarRY 4 and 0, G. Brooks 19 and 4, Robinson 13 and 0, 11, Lucas 3 and 18, B. 5 and 1, W. Street 0 and, W. Whitby 21 and 6, Mr. Fry 5 and Mr. Jaw" 19 and 9, C. White 11 and 8, F. Thomas 6 and 1. Chelsea United 112 and with eight wickets down; Eller 8 and 0, W. Dyke 8 and 8, 0, Hill 32 and 4, Drockland 3 and 4, bongworth 11 and 18, J. Dyke 2 and 6, Tiptaft land 8, 5 and 1. Collins 13 and (not out) 5, G. French 15, Hervey 7; extras 9.

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WANDSWORTH WORKING MEN'S REFORM CLUB

NB Icame across articles in which the WWWMTC show their support for Poland liberation

On Working Men's Clubs more generally — with speaker Henry Cole! — see e.g.


London City Press — Saturday 18 April 1863

CLUBS AND KITCHENS FOR WORKING MEN.

We are in the habit of laying that the world grows wiser, and the race of mankind better. Whether these postulates sound or not, we can at least say with truthfulness that philanthropist! are much more practical than they used to be, and nprhaps much more tolerant and unostentatious. The long- talked of millennium that was to ushered in to the trickling of pure water over the face of the eartb, and the repressing of all human passion and pride and paltriness, is still somewhere beyond the horizon of reasonable hope, and nobody expects to see it the ripe product of mere speechmaking and dreaming. From the earliest saints and sage* have given men good advice about the evils of intemperance and anger, improvidence and lust, but we are still in need ol hospitals, and prisons, and workhouses, and penitentiaries, and if there remained for us no bettei sort of efforts than oratory and inditing tracts, we might as well give it up as a bad job, and leave flie human race to work out its destiny, only possessed of physical capacities, and destitute altogether of the moral and the spiritual.

A day's work is belter than a lifetime of talk, and fortunately many of the most hopeful of the Eclectics begin to pursuaded that much more good mav be accomplished directing the appetites, and fn-iiishing them with wholesome diet, than telling people that their desires are wicked, and should be put under moral restraint or corporeal lock and key. Cheap newspapers have solved the problem of how to make the people think for themselves the appetite for news is found to be useful as a means of supplying intellectual food of lasting value, and aiding self-culture among the masse", without the help of Government grants or Exeter Hall meetings. The teetotallers are likely to be superseded by agencies that step in between a man and the drink might covet, and effect a reformation by giving him the very amusement he desires, without any taste of the poison of the bowl or any of the temptations that accompany alcoholic excitements. Working men's clubs are doing wonders for the people for whose good they are especially designed, and there is a promise of similar pood results the establishment poor men's kitchens. must be evident to anyone moderately acquainted with human nature that it is not the love of vice which leads men to drink in the first instance, however the love vice may predominate in the end. It is simply the desire for enjoyment, and the tavern provides a species of enjoyment that is very enjoyable, and that will be participated in so long as there are no other enjoyments equally cheap, acceptable, and accessible.

Lectures, concerts, religious services, and all sorts of schemes have been devised, and all good in their way, but not so generally attractive as to influence large bodies, nor so permanently impressive as to modify the habits and make excesses all kinds obnoxious as they shonld be. All these things have done good in their way, and the teetotallers have played their part bravely, and have a good account to give any day of the blessings that have their labours. But all these agencies are partial. They begin by accepting the conditions imposed Mrs. Glasse on the cook ambitious of excelling in certain department of his art. You must first catch your hare; you must get your folks to come to the meeting before you can hope to reason with them of temperance, and righteousness, and judgment to come. This difficulty has been acknowledged, and to diminish it to the least possible extent all sorts of attractions have been devised — teetotallers have olioirs that sing delightfully, the religious folks have descended occasionally to sensationalism, and the musical people have added tea and crumpets to the attractions of lutes and trumpets. We beg the question as to the attractiveness of social comfort, in a perfectly free-and-easy way. But it does not follow that free-and-easy should be only another name for bad music, ribaldry, and guzzling. What is a downright good family party but a free-and-easy, without a taint of vice, or a temptation to wrong? the people drink wine while they chatter and $iag, what is that to any. body, if they can afford to pay for itf So if you want to see working men in their element, and yet out of danger, let them have the free-and-easy, compounded, not of poison and bagpipes, but of books, pictures, newspapers, chess-boards, opportunities for gossip, discussion, and merry-making, and with something good to eat and drink, while engaged in rest and recreation.

We imagine it is for such purposes as these that working men's clubs have been established. The greatest charm in life is society, the best exhibition in the world is a lot of human faces; if handsome and happy faces all the better; but, anyhow, plenty of faces and unquestionably the faces should be of both sexes, or the affair is onesided and very nearly a sham. Everybody has heard of the movement in Glasgow for providing the working-classes with cheap and good food, and the progress of that movement in London, and in other cities and towns. It is to the working men's clubs movement as Hyperion to a satyr, and we are bound to wish abundant success, and hope to see it spread its benefits far and wide wherever there are stomachs to be filled and narrow purses to pilot provender to its proper destination. The working classes are made of the same stuff as is the rest of mankind. Peers, millionares, middle-class traders, even sectarians and devotees, want recreation, and those who repudiate that impeachment own. to needing bodily sustenance. Has it not often puzzled the reader how a man earning, it may be, pound a week, manges thereupon to keep a wife and twelve young children ? There is one thing certain : the money all goes in bread, and if these people want aught else than bread they must get in debt for it. Twenty shillings will only buy forty loaves at the best of times ; yet, everybody who has attempted devil a kidney or cook a I'nib's heart, knows that it is possible to waste money in bread, and that there are many viands, "holesome and less costly; available to satisfy appetite and nourish the body for people who *) where to get them and how to cook them.

When Mr. Corbett started working men's kitchens Glasgow, it was one of his first objects to introduce wholesome dishes that could be produced at a very low rate, in fact, to turn to useful account some of those ambiguous materials which the world dignifies with the name of offal. We confess that we do not kuow the constitution of a " haggis " or a dish of collops, but we accept the testimony of those whom we know to be judges of such matters that such things are good, and that openly recognizing them, a good dinner may be furnished for a few pence, which will be as enjoyable and as rourishing as one costing a few shillings. Now, why should the children's bread be cast to the Why should we cast out from our markets, " offal, " materials capable furnishing many man with a good meal, who, without such to digestion, must hope for mere bread and *' hing more, or make a change once a-week r -h a joint badly cooked, and vegetables boiled brown. It has often been said that good cookery the beat advocacy of temperance; but well-tort') workmen carry their steaks to the capacious gridiron at the Pig and Whistle, and make one turn deserve another, because there they can, the help of the genius called "potman, " and 1 the society of their companions, and with a good b'i to warm their toes, do better for a meal than 1 home, because their wives worked at trades like themselves till they were married, and then were either lying-in, or had wrong notions of the. . ce of cookery. No doubt there was much >iih this, but there are bachelors as well as edicts among working men, and, married or ; . th e y must eat; and if they can be provided 1 dinners for sixpence each better than can be '> shilling, why, let it be doue; and, instead cookshops that sicken passers-by in sultry ta with the odour of tallow and cinnamon, w. "". . to " cookin depdts for the working Wherever the working classes congre-0 lere 13 fair proportion of hungry and humble passers-by, and there will nerer be lack of business if good food is served in cleanly manner.

Mr. Alexander Burrell has lately visited the cooking depots in Glasgow, and reported thereon the Society of Art*, of which he is an active member. In this report, Mr. Burrell makes a very curious comparison, and we commend that to the consideration of philanthropists of all classes. It is to this effect; that convicts are in many in stances better fed than labourers, and in all cases, have enough not only to support life, but to sustain them in full health and vigour, so that when sent away on tickets-of-leave they are in "good fettle " (we believe that the word) for breaking open doorways, cash-boxes, and for the gentle art of midnight garotting. The average cost of a convict's diet is less than 4d. per man. At the Ely House of Correction the charge 3id. each ; at the Salford New Bailey the daily cost of food is 2|d. head; for the whole of England the average cost of each prisoner's diet is 3|d. per day. Now, if vagabonds who scarcely deserve food, and who are fed simply because, for the sake of humanity, we dare not starve them outright, can be kept well at this price, why should not honest men be well fed at the same rate, or a trifle more? It all turns upon how to do it, and that problem is being solved by the establishment of " cooking depots. "

The sooner we see a movement made in the City for the establishment of cooking depots, the sooner we shall believe that the friends of temperance — or, rather, the real philanthropists — are on the alert. Nowhere are workmen's homes, workmen's clubs, and workmen's kitchens more needed. The carpenter and mason are not wanted at the bar of the Bay Tree. The ready-cut joints of cold fowl, and the hot sausages, and rumpsteak puddings, so nicely dished up at a moment notice, like a feast in a pantomime, are not the things to suit men whose secular mission it is to use their bones and sinew 9; and if the fare suited them the prices are beyond their means, and the neat gentlemen who " lunch " at such places do not wish to have their cloth variegated with white marks by contact with chalky fustian. Nowhere in the world is there greater need of all such things as these than in the City of London, where there are daily amongst our well-dressed crowds myriads of hungry and fatigued labourers who want food, and rest, and recreation. Satisfy the natural wants of the body and mind, and there will be little desire for artificial stimulants, or for recreations that have at their core the seeds of moral degradation.

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London City Press — Saturday 18 April 1863

WORKING MEN'S CLUBS,

Under the impulse and guidance of the Working Men's Club and Institute Union, the movement for the formation of clubs and institutes for the industrial classes makes steady progress. Additional clubs are almost daily being estab. lished, and there is a growing desire among the managers of mechanics' institutes to modify their constitution so as to allow of the adoption of the club features. The council of the Union have just issued the firstb of a series of "Occasional Papers" on the formation, progress, and results of working men's clbs, halls, and institutes and in which short statements are given relating to clabs Charlton Marshall, Blandford, Lictlemore, Iffily, Notting Hill Salford, Keensington, Potteriea, Duck Laneo( Vestmnn. stern, and Southampton. These papers are designed to afford practical illustrations and ecouragemlent of the ob. jects and principles of the movement, and to enlist a more general sympathy in the public mind for these useful asso- ciation S.

A most interesting experiment is being tried at the pre. sent time in the vicinity of Soho Square, where a number of men employed in the building trades are heartily engaged in starting a dtub. The rent of a house for the first year has been guaranteedby a member of the council of the Union, and a body of carpenters, plasterers plumbers, &c., are at. tending to the necessary repairs, matmng furniture, &o,, for the club. A subscription has been opened in the locality for the purchase of the wood and the other materials, and the labour is thankfully given by those who are desirous of having such a club in their neighbourhood.

An effort of a similar character, but conducted on a larger scale, was carried to a successful issue recently in Bearborough, where a club has been open during a month or five weeks, and has already attracted 1,250 weekly members, all classes joining in generous rivalry to give lbbonr or At Forest Hill a meeting was held on Monday evening for the purpose of forming a working men's club and insti. tute. The chair was taken by Henry Cole, Esq., and addresses were given by the Rev. Henry Solly and E G. Clarke deputation from the Working Alen's Club and Institute Utnion), J. M. Rare, Eqq., Charles Herbert, Esq., several of the leading local gentry, and a working man, a carpenter.

The building will hold from 800 to 400 persons, and has in connection with it a class room and a basement-floor, suitable for refreshmert and smoking-rooms, and for various recreations. The premises have been taken by V. T. Haynes Esq., for three years, and are given by him, free of cost, for the use of the club. The working men of the district seem disposed to rally round the promoters of the club, and express their satisfaction at the extent to which the management will he left in their hands; and cordial promises of support to the effort are given by several gentlemen and ministers of the neighbourhood.

The fol. lowing resolution was carried by the meeting with great enthusiasm: " That the liberal and advantageous offer of Mr. Haynes to place these premises, under certain con. ditions, at the disposal of the work;ug men of the neigh. bourhood, for the formation of a Working Mlen's Club and Institute, deserves the warm and grateful appreciation of all classes in the ?? proceedings terminated with hearty votes of thanks passed to the deputation frona the council of the Union and to the chairman. Similar progress is reported at about twenty other places in town and country.

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Weekly Dispatch (London) — Sunday 19 April 1863

LAMBETH. CHARGE OF INCENDIARISM AGAINST CHILDREN.On Monday, George Dymock. aged 10, Henry Sharp, 9, and James Hedgecoek, 9, the children of decent parents, residing at Norwood, were charged with wilfully setting fire to and destroying a haystack, the property of Mr. George Rough, a tradesman residing in Wandsworth- ' common. Police-constable Mathews, 358 P, said that on the preceding evening, about 4 o'clock, he was informed that a stack of hay, the property of Mr. Rough, in a field close to Leighamcourt-road, near Streatham, was on fire, and he hastened to the place as fast as he could. On reaching the spot he found all of the stack in flames, so that it wax impossible to wive l any portion of the property. From inquiries he (witness) was informed that the three prisoners were the persons who set fire to the stack, and he subsequently went in search of them. He first saw Sharp, and on charging him with the offence he said he did it, but that he had the matches from the other boys. He next saw Dymock, and he said his cousin Sharp did it; and Hedgecock said the same; and he took them into custody. Mr. George Rough said the stack of hay was his property, and that, on going to the place next morning, he found nearly the whole of it consumed. The value of the stack was from 7B to kW. Dymock said he tried to put out the fire, but could not. Sharp said his intention was to make a fire in the field of the loose hay, and that the wind carried the sparks to the stack. The three boys were remanded, and Mr. Elliott refused to accept any bail for them.

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West Middlesex Advertiser and Family Journal — Saturday 25 April 1863

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ALCOHOL IN WORKHOUSES.

To the Editor of "The West Middlesex Advertiser"

Sir. It must be a source of satisfaction to the ratepayers of Chelsea, to learn from your report on a pvevious week that the management of their workhouse like that at Kensington, is so admirable. But to adopt a favorite test of mine referred to the published accounts to see what was the consumption of alcoholic articles in the workhouse. I found that in the year to the 25th March, of last year the cost of beer, wine, and spirits consumed by the inmates was 249 15s., and taking the average number of inmates throughout the year as 490, the average cost per head for man,} womun and child was 10s. 2d. But assuming that only one-third of the inmates would be consumers of these articles it would give 30s., per head annually.

For curiosity sake Ilooked into the published accounts of the Wandsworth board of guardians for the same period,to how much less that rural district, (which includes Putney .Tooting, Streatham, &c.,) expended in stimulants, to my great horror and surprise I found the following charges, for their average number of inmates of 508, housed on Wandsworth common ale and porter 626 2s. 10d., wine and brandy 139 18s., gin 56 14s., tobacco and snuff 63 14s, 6d., total 886 9s. 4d., or 35s., per head for man, woman and child, or taking one-third as the consumers, 5 5s., per year or 2s., a head' per week.

Ifelt inclined to ask you Sir, how to account for it that in a close and therefore more depressed locality like Chelsea a less quantity of artifical stimulant would suffice, than in the salubrious and open situation of the Wandsworth workhouse. The first question that occurred to me, whether the guardians themselves gave "a liftf'to consume some(8000 gallons of beer, and about 22,000 " screws" of tobacco in the year in their workhouse, I could not conceive that to be the case. Then was it, that like Sir J. Jebb, the guardians made " pets" of the pauper lambs" by pampering and quieting them. This also seemed questionable.

The only conclusion I could therefore come to, is this, that in the case of Chelsea, the bull's eye'' of the press penetrates the proceedings of the' board of guardians, as of all the parochial boards. You Sir are not only allowed to report all their proceedings, but have every facility given you of inspecting the workhouse and to catechise the inmates in your character as public journalist whilst as Iunderstand in the Wandsworth union, the press is not allowed footing on the threshold of the board room, much less the opportunity of putting the unfortunate inmates in the "confessional." Yours &c, CONSTANCE.

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West Middlesex Advertiser and Family Journal- Saturday 25 April 1863

ALCOHOL IN WORKHOUSES. To the Editor of "The West Middlesex Advertiser" Sir. — It must be a source of satisfaction to the ratepayers of Chelsea, to learn from your report on a pvevious week thatthe management of their workhouse like that at Kensington, is so admirable. But to adopt a favorite test,pf mine referred to the pubilshed accounts to see what was the consumption of alcoholic articles in the workhouse. I found that in the year to the 25th March, of last year the cost of beer, wine, and spirits consumed by the inmates was 249 15s., and taking the average number of inmates throughout the year as 490, the average cost per head for man,} womun and child was 10s. 2d. But assuming that only one-third of the inmates would be consumers of these articles it would give 30s., per head annually. For curiosity sake Ilooked into the published accounts of the Wandsworth board of guardians for the same period,to how much less that rural district, (which includes Putney .Tooting, Streatham, &c.,) expended in stimulants, to my great horror and surprise I found the following charges, for their average number of inmates of 508, housed on Wandsworth common — ale and porter 626 2s. 10d., wine and brandy 139 18s., gin 56 14s., tobacco and snuff 63 14s, 6d., total 886 9s. 4d., or 35s., per head for man, woman and child, or taking one-third as the consumers, 5 5s., per year or 2s., a head' per week. Ifelt inclined to ask you Sir, how to account for it that in a close and therefore more depressed locality like Chelsea a less quantity of artifical stimulant would suffice, than in the salubrious and open situation of the Wandsworth workhouse. The first question that occurred to me, whether the guardians themselves gave "a liftf'to consume some(8000 gallons of beer, and about 22,000 " screws" of tobacco in the year in their workhouse, I could not conceive that to be the case. Then was it, that like Sir J. Jebb, the guardians made " pets" of the pauper lambs" by pampering and quieting them. This also seemed questionable. The only conclusion I could therefore come to, is this, that in the case of Chelsea, the bull's eye'' of the press penetrates the proceedings of the' board of guardians, as of all the parochial boards. You Sir are not only allowed to report all their proceedings, but have every facility given you of inspecting the workhouse and to catechise the inmates in your character as public journalist whilst as Iunderstand in the Wandsworth union, the press is not allowed footing on the threshold of the board room, much less the opportunity of putting the unfortunate inmates the "confessional." Yours &c,

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Lake's Falmouth Packet and Cornwall Advertiser

The Derby Week — Road to Epsom via Wandsworth Common

One of the great streams of visitors flowed by Westminster-bridge through Morden, Merton, and Ewell. Another stream by the way of Vauxhall-bridge-road, through Wandsworth-common and Tooting; and a third by Brixton, Mitcham, and Sutton. Far as our observation enables us to speak, the traffic to the race-course was conducted with the greatest possible good humour. The first three horses for the great race: Queen Bertha 1, Marigold 2, Vivid 3.

BNA link

Morning Advertiser — Tuesday 2 June 1863

ROYAL VICTORIA PATRIOTIC ASYLUM,

On the question that the house resolve itself into a committee of supply

Mr J. ABEL SMITH rose, pursuant to notice, to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether his attention had been drawn to the report of the Patriotic und, and the causes of the resignation of the majority of the members of the Ladies' Committee of the Royal Victoria Patriotic Asylum, appointed in January, 1862; also to notice the admission of the late Sir George Cornewall Lewis, that a girl of{ sixteen years of age had been flogged in that cstablishtaken out in a year. There were 19,000 or 20,000 publicans | d further that the conduct of thc officials who had in England, and the licences issued did not, in consequence coinm e< this act was condoned by the executive comaverage average two or throe licences per week but the publican the recurrence of such practices. Before putting the question said it was not worth liis while take out two or three he would briefly state the circumstances. The Loyal comiiccnccs a-week for perhaps only small gatherings, and commissioners appointed Royal charter for the management sequent!? many cricket clubs were in danger ol dying out. of the Patriotic Fund applied a portion of the funds which He begged, under those circumstances, to move, as an were furnished by the patriotism and munificence of tns amendment to the clause, to reduce licence -ss. to nation thc establishment of two schoolsone for boys, the crown. other for girls. The girls school was called the Royal The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said he did not Viet oria Patriotic Asylum. It was opened in 1809, for a limited think tho hon. gentleman had made out a case. If thc number of inmates, afterwards increased to 208, and it was cricket club mentioned was in danger extinction, how intended, if it had not been already done, to increase the did those cricket clubs get on before there were any occa- number to 300. Thc commissioners devoted a very large sional licences at all 'r The question was upon what prin- and handsome sum to the establishment the school* cinlo charges of this kind wore made. Thc change for thc 203,000/., at Wandsworth-common. At this school a girl, annual licence was about 17/. a-year, which was about la. named Bennett, was subjected to military confinement, foe a-dav; and charge for occasional licence os., going over two days, by order thc chaplain, for some act of mr.iborthree days, was Is. Sd. a-day; but the hon. gentleman pro- dination. That is, she was locked for two days, but posed that the occasional licence should only lOd. a-day. allowed to leave the room in order to go to bed. the Mr SEYMER thought the amendment a reason- evening of the second day, about eight clock, a girl able one, and hoped the right hon. gentleman, the Chancel- went to release her for that purpose found her bimit te lor of tho Exchequer, would assent the proposal, because death. She was the daughter of a soldier, but being too oia when there were only small gatherings of people the publican to admitted as pupil she was taken as servant, tcougn could not afford pay so high a price for a licence. he believed without any wages. She was servant, anduot Sir JOHN SHELLEY said he had been a cricketer all his pupil, and believed the chaplain had more right life and he never knew case where they were not supplied subject her t< confinement than he had a right to shut up with beer It was illegal to supply it without a licence, but member of that house. He thought it right to say that the it was done. lady superintendent had nothing do with this lamente Mr. D. GRIFFITH considered it his duty to support tbc able transaction. A committee of ladies had been apamendment, to which hoped thc right hon. gentleman pointed to assist the management of the school, and would agree. alter some inquiry they found that there had been Mr. HENLEY thought it would wise in the right hon. mismanagement and irregularity. It appeared that "cntleman to reduce thc -is. licence, which revenue about years of age, had been flogged with birch, undec would get something, whereas by keeping up thc high licence the direction of thc chaplain ; and that thieving and thev miehtget nothing.(Laughter.) People would have sorts of dishonesty prevailed throughout the establishment, beer, and not all thc Chancellors of the Exchequer in thc and that nothing of what had been going on had cornworld would prevent them. (Laughter.) Where there was municatcd to thc executive committee. On one occasion it a gathering in a small village there might not be more than was found that two young girls had been sent to Lonhalf a barrel of beer consumed at os., and that would he a don alone, by Captain Fishbournc, the hon. secretary. Oirifl heavy tax upon tho article. , , school were frequently allowed to go about the tewn Mr. HUNT suggested that thc case might be met thc with servants without being under proper control, xqo&b right gentleman consenting to thc tax being half a ladies also found that the conduct of the girls who had crown a-day, which arrangement, if the gatherings quitted tho asylum hud been far from satisfactory. Having should extend to three days, he would get 7a. Gd. instead of reported to the executive committee that the institution had half a crown. been entirely mismanaged, that the chaplain had exceeded The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said he con- powers, that his punishment tho girls was severe eidered the suggestion of thc hon. gentleman very good revolting, and that the lady superintendent did not P<9 one, and, perhaps, the best way would be to allow the sufficient judgment. They made some suggestions clause to stand over until a future day. were adopted in modified form ; but the execuave com- Mr. HUNT thought tho better way would be to re-commit mittee positively refused to dismiss the chaplain urn tho bill on future day in order to insert the amended lady superintendent, of whose conduct the committee ox clause. ladies complained. It appeared to him that excellent rca- CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER assented. sons were afforded for removing Captain Iishhournc from The amendment was then withdrawn, and tho clause was his place. He occupied a singular and anomalous position, agreed to. He was called honorary secretary, but he received a salary The CHANCELLOR the EXCHEQUER moved thc of 700/. a-year. The decision of tne executive committee insertion of clau.se enable thc Commissioners of Taxes not to discharge him and the chaplain was contirmea tm in any county hold their meetings within adjoining commissioners. After that decision the ladies comm_ county or other place of jurisdiction. reconsidered thc matter, and seven them resigned. y Thc clause was agreed to. agreed to a resolution that, being powerless for _*' The CHANCELLOR of tho EXCHEQUER .aid had thought it hotter to retire than responsible for coarca other clauses to propose. The Income-tax Acts provided of proceeding of which they could not approve, .* that the income tax should not be deducted from dividends Chester, who also had taken great interest in the . in the funds where a dividend was under oos. That pro- resigned his position as chairman of the commissi vision was well adapted to the state of the law with incomes assigning as his reason that the executive committee less than 100/. a-year; hut when they adopted the prin- come to a unanimous vote eanctionmg punislmentwi ciple of stock certificates the rule was entirely altered, and cane at thc uncontrolled discretion of thcschoojn oven the largest holders funds would receive their dividends The hon. member concluded by repeating the question oi i small amounts. He, therefore, proposed clause autho- which given nonce. _. _ rising a deduction in the income tax on all amounts received The Marquis of HAITINGTON -aid the manage Stock certificate the Patriotic Fund was in no way whatever under the coagreed to trol of the War Department, and as thc Secretary for War Mr. HUNT said he had a clause to propose which he be- had power to interfere with the management of the lieved would remedy what was omission in the act of fund, it would to hold for last session. clause which he begged propose would what had been done the mstitution referred to. fine, exempt from stamp duty the instruments of appointments of however, any responsibility matter fie surveyors of highways, and thc securities given by them, had .had his attention directed to it, he tbougfit He considered that such exemption would just, and the right hon gentleman opposite (Sir J Iakington% *fiO that it ought to be agreed to in principle and in precedent, was one of the Royal commissioners, would give the hon. The tax was virtually a new one, and at the time*; was en- gentleman in a more satisfactory manner the information acted no such appointments existed under the Highway Act. which he sought, Ha found that in the new Poor Law Act clauae wa. reteo- Sir J. PAKCTOTON, one the Royal Commissonc duced which every kind instrument for carrying the 1 atnqtio Pond, .aid had some reason complamM out the law from stamp duty, and why should not such the manner which the hon. member for Chicherter imd provision be embodied in the Highway ActHe found also put Ms question the paper. Ho did not thmk the hon. that in South Highway Art it was crpreeel, dc- intended anything unfair, but the toms ol

p3

or per tentage urKn car' l iK'fwtK'n J. i'Uu>K- _iooiooo;, m.tm. in addition ti thi., the non wk tvt.Tml to. but the were scattered over various parts 1.-mdon, and great loss expense, and inconvcuionoe arose those who had fc . m..'l d.MpUno do thorn. pere'QS. could not K_ . ti sin'ct Mr. said that, practically, the estimate barely b m January. ll, in- that last ear. The reason why tho items which 1 death the verdict accidental made up tho sum 20, for maintenance and request was hold, and the should have pairs public offices were n.>t given in detail was. that they (Uth. Th _," "im won! of , won. *. numorou. that their boil, carried out in detail rseted satisfied with t . — * private com- w.'uld have caused great expt'nso and. after all, have thrown w .ub S a .Hear.) vury l.ttle Ihjht to, 1,700 iloma Bjonications the budj . _ v;, r-feronco to of surveys and problematical estimates were included .mmJmit com- the total, there war thi, that the sotl events that and ho much by taking lump sum they were enabled one Bjjttee. dUft-nnces oiiinion ; item was in excess in tho estimate make tho surplus isaretted that tnen wen, . , v * theo dil- apply any item whore the cost had been under-estimated, theladies ladu-s without coming to tho house. was surprised to fawnce? led to the r. accepted tho trust that hear on objection. The total cost tho supply water constitutingthe coranmwe. > _ the public offices was .1,000/.surely not too much. As to was reposed in them, and in the institution the for pumps, pipes, and engines, that was now quire into the manner appointed in the month , item. His attention had been called the very defective were carried on. Those lauies 1 . fir ran aments for dealing with tires should they occur in the of Jantury last year, and they 1 uses rarliament in any the adjacent offices in those meeting* was that . . ti j 0 , Whitehall. It was proposed to take advantage tho immised inquire into the wnoto . * inquired measely increased power which steam conferred upon tirocollecte very great engines, and to render the Government independent of a supjily into all the , l|nliut te o from any tho water companies' mams, by propointed out.(Hear. . . K.un.l sav that, viding for complete and abundant supply of water from tho their I.TIW galUm. mmuto thrown tho Uont . U.e ob)to of J l Korofon OlSoo when orootod, and would courre which thought. '.. 0 , 1n1111U ,.,. thu* they higher than any other, now existence. Iteeides, Urge . commumcatien t' _ committee unless they (tho i tanks would placed the roof. With respect to tho prooreutire ceramitfe,.'' censent.il dismis. the lady .uporin- r-Ml that tho public offloj. when in public buildings should lustitutien. Now that was most emhumisung pay rent, it would vutually carry back to very ob- SmioriuMtc ami placed tho esocutivo in , system, to remedy which the separation ol the McSt ntuatien. Htbmed the house would not suppose , of woods and the olhco of works had some years boon hesitated as curse which they ought to ! upon of woods roccired nll per- not "dismiss the lady superintendent without revenues trail the Crown property. Ihe of CSig any evidence she could bring forward. It was in works had such permanent revenue to deal with. But tkfmJnth March that tho ladies' committee called 1 property which they rented from woods thoir"ttcntien to tl.o matter, and it was not until the would, if let to other persons, produce rental It was MIV that they cave their decision; and they passed therefore, only a matter account, while, under present That the committee having carefully considered system, abuses were prevented from creeping in. hoped, and communications that have been submitted | therefore, that his hen friend wimld net press hit motion them, in respect certain punishments reported l-onl J MANNtUb said that though the question Muted -iris in the Koy.d Victoria Patriotic School, which had been raised was important ono, it was not new but disapprove of and regret the conduct tho the House of fommons. A predecessor right hen. superintendent and the chaplain some instances: gontlcman, when olhco, for somewhere over md- Wn tho pt'culior circumstancs under which bon money to purobaa sito for tho metaou public tto'svstem the schoolhad carried on. the committee ethccs. But the took fright the proposal, and tho or inion th:it a tecurrence of those irregularities matter fell through. No doubt it would pay tho long be prevented without having recourse to the dismissal , run but tho difficulty would be to got bouse to agree to the lady superintendent.'* That resolution was unani- , such a vote. asked some explanation m reference to the usly passed by Lord Colchester. General Lindsay, If. Burlmgrijn House. What was to be done with John Colonel Adair, the Rev. Mr. Cooke, one of *t The present Government had abandoned the projects i her Majesty inspectors schooU. and Captain Fishbourne. j their for fcupymg IThose six gentlemen concurred without a single dissentient , b.VI.OMoNS asked what waa _ voice in that resolution. the May another meet- 10,900/. for * rents, taxes, donations m lieu theret-f. ing was convened, and that occasion nine members Mr. COWTKK explained that in looses the Government i the committee were present, comprising Lord Colchester, Iwere often bound to pay rates and taxes, and where the pro- General Lindsay, Colonel Adair. Sir John the perty belonged to the Crown, they often made donations Rev. Mr. CV-oke, Captain Pishbourne, Sir Henry Alexander equivalent to what they would have paid had tho buildings Spearman, Mr. T. Paring, Sir Richard Curling, and Colonel been rated. As to Burlington Rouse, ho was not prepared Lefrey ; and those members heard the minutes of tho make any explanation at that moment. Some offices were previous meeting read, unanimously agreed it. They had necessarily in certain localities; as, for instance, tho Seamen's come to that decision after grave consideration the evi- Registry, which must at tho Kostcnd ; but hoped that dence, and never knew any body of men more unaui- i in few years there would be such additions the public tnous. The next step was meeting to consider the present- j offices as would render much tho expense now incurred for of the report to tho Royal Commissioners, and at hiring offices unnecessary. j that meeting Earl Grey expressed himself not satisded, i Mr. W. asked for some explanation as to tho | and moved a resolution the effect that the committee 000/. for the officers of the Copyhold Commission. should have dismissed the lady superintendent and tho chap- thought they had little nothing to do, and that it was lain and that resolution was supported two of the com- quite time this item should got rid of. missioned, namely, by I-ord Nelson and laird St. Leonards, Mr. said it was quite mistake to suppose that while all the rest of members present, amounting to Copyhold Commissioners hud nothing to do. They bad seven, voted for it. The executive committee had been re- a great deal important work to do, but there was not constructed, and the Eov. Mr. Woolley, who was one of the timo to into the question. They could not turned out Commissioners of Government Schools, was one its mom- of doors, and the building they occupied was not too largo bera. The establishment had boon much improved, and for their work. although the ladies* committee had pledged themselves to Lord JOHN MANNERS said if tho lion, gentleman resign before the executive committee commenced their in- j wanted to have asked a question about the Copyhold Comquiry, could not help believing that even tho ladies them- missioners. should have asked why the office was filled up reives' would more pleased tho result that had been again other day, when ono tho commissioners died, arrived at than otherwise. He had himself visited tho (Hear, and laughter.) — " school, and seeing birch rod bunch of cane in the room. Colonel BAUTTELOT asked meaning of "donations, inquired what it was, and ascertaining, ordered its !

Mr. COWI'ER explained that, where uot liable for rates, use discontinued, and it was not now used. assured Government sometimes made donations lieu rates, the house that everything that could done had been done. which were mostly the exact amount at which, if they and that to hia satisfaction, without making victims two ! had been liable, they would have been rated, persons. Hoar.) j

Mr. A. SMITH withdrew amendment, and tho vote Mr. KINN'AIRJ) thought the explanations that had been was agreed to. given by tho right hon. baronet would give great satisfac- B.B o complete the sum necessary for furniture for tion hear.) He felt that his hon. friend below him , public offices. had done good service in bringing the question forward, and Mr. WILLIAM WILLIAMS called attention to the item that he was entitled to thanks for having done so. He (Mr. of 0,464/. for the department of science and art in tho South thought that the use of cane should never Kensington Museum, and objected it. allowed in the girls' school. (Hear.)

Mr. AUGUSTUS SMITH also objected to the item, and Mr. BRISCOE was much pleased on hearing from the said that it was only sly way of getting or 0,000/. right hon baronet that the use the cane in the girls' more than would otherwise granted, school was prohibited. thought it would be weU if the Mr. COWPER said that the expenditure on furniture was committee ladies would superintend the establishment of very carefully watched, and what was here asked was only the trirls* school, and it would, in his opinion, be well if they what was really wanted to enable public make were to meet once a-month at least. Ho agreed that his proper use tho museum, hon. friend who brought forward the subject of the present After some discussion. motion was entitled to thanks.-(Hoar, hear.)

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Morning Advertiser — Tuesday 2 June 1863

ROYAL VICTORIA PATRIOTIC ASYLUM,

On the question that thc house resolve itself into a committee of suppl

Mr J. ABEL SMITH rose, pursuant to notice, to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether his attention had been drawn to the report of the Patriotic und, and the causes of the resignation of the majority of the members of the Ladies' Committee of the Royal Victoria Patriotic Asylum, appointed in January, 1862; also to notice the admission of the late Sir George Cornewall Lewis, that a girl of{ sixteen years of age had been flogged in that cstablishtaken out in a year. There were 19,000 or 20,000 publicans | d further that the conduct of thc officials who had in England, and the licences issued did not, in consequence coinm e< this act was condoned by the executive comaverage average two or throe licences per week but the publican the recurrence of such practices. Before putting the question said it was not worth liis while take out two or three he would briefly state the circumstances. The Loyal comiiccnccs a-week for perhaps only small gatherings, and conmissioners appointed Royal charter for the management sequent!? many cricket clubs were in danger of dying out. of the Patriotic Fund applied a portion of the funds which He begged, under those circumstances, to move, as an were furnished by the patriotism and munificence of tns amendment to the clause, to reduce licencess. to nation thc establishment of two schools — one for boys, the crown. other for girls. The girls school was called the Royal

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said he did not Viet oria Patriotic Asylum. It was opened in 1809, for a limited think the hon. gentleman had made out a case. If thc number of inmates, afterwards increased to 208, and it was cricket club mentioned was in danger extinction, how intended, if it had not been already done, to increase the did those cricket clubs get on before there were any occanumber to 300. Thc commissioners devoted a very large sional licences at all 'r The question was upon what prinand handsome sum to the establishment the school- cinlo charges of this kind wore made. Thc change for thc 203,000/., at Wandsworth-common. At this school a girl, annual licence was about 17/. a-year, which was about la. named Bennett, was subjected to military confinement, foe a-dav; and charge for occasional licence os., going over two days, by order thc chaplain, for some act of mr.iborthree days, was Is. Sd. a-day; but the hon. gentleman prodination. That is, she was locked for two days, but posed that the occasional licence should only lOd. a-day. allowed to leave the room in order to go to bed. the Mr SEYMER thought the amendment a reasonevening of the second day, about eight clock, a girl able one, and hoped the right hon. gentleman, the Chancelwent to release her for that purpose found her bimit te for of the Exchequer, would assent the proposal, because death. She was the daughter of a soldier, but being too oia when there were only small gatherings of people the publican to admitted as pupil she was taken as servant, tcougn could not afford pay so high a price for a licence. he believed without any wages. She was servant, anduot Sir JOHN SHELLEY said he had been a cricketer all his pupil, and believed the chaplain had more right life and he never knew case where they were not supplied subject her t< confinement than he had a right to shut up with beer It was illegal to supply it without a licence, but member of that house. He thought it right to say that the it was done. lady superintendent had nothing do with this lamente Mr. D. GRIFFITH considered it his duty to support tbc able transaction. A committee of ladies had been apamendment, to which hoped thc right hon. gentleman pointed to assist the management of the school, and would agree. alter some inquiry they found that there had been Mr. HENLEY thought it would wise in the right hon. mismanagement and irregularity. It appeared that "cntleman to reduce thcis. licence, which revenue about years of age, had been flogged with birch, undec would get something, whereas by keeping up thc high licence the direction of thc chaplain; and that thieving and thev miehtget nothing. — (Laughter.) People would have sorts of dishonesty prevailed throughout the establishment, beer, and not all thc Chancellors of the Exchequer in thc and that nothing of what had been going on had cornworld would prevent them. — (Laughter.) Where there was municatcd to thc executive committee. On one occasion it a gathering in a small village there might not be more than was found that two young girls had been sent to Lonhalf a barrel of beer consumed at os., and that would he a don alone, by Captain Fishbournc, the hon. secretary. Oirifl heavy tax upon the article., , school were frequently allowed to go about the tewn Mr. HUNT suggested that thc case might be met thc with servants without being under proper control, xqo&b right gentleman consenting to thc tax being half a ladies also found that the conduct of the girls who had crown a-day, which arrangement, if the gatherings quitted the asylum hud been far from satisfactory. Having should extend to three days, he would get 7a. Gd. instead of reported to the executive committee that the institution had half a crown. been entirely mismanaged, that the chaplain had exceeded The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said he conpowers, that his punishment the girls was severe eidered the suggestion of thc hon. gentleman very good revolting, and that the lady superintendent did not P<9 one, and, perhaps, the best way would be to allow the sufficient judgment. They made some suggestions clause to stand over until a future day. were adopted in modified form; but the execuave comMr. HUNT thought the better way would be to re-commit mittee positively refused to dismiss the chaplain urn the bill on future day in order to insert the amended lady superintendent, of whose conduct the committee ox clause. ladies complained. It appeared to him that excellent rcaCHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER assented. sons were afforded for removing Captain Iishhournc from The amendment was then withdrawn, and the clause was his place. He occupied a singular and anomalous position, agreed to. He was called honorary secretary, but he received a salary The CHANCELLOR the EXCHEQUER moved thc of 700/. a-year. The decision of tne executive committee insertion of clau.se enable thc Commissioners of Taxes not to discharge him and the chaplain was contirmea tm in any county hold their meetings within adjoining commissioners. After that decision the ladies comm_ county or other place of jurisdiction. reconsidered thc matter, and seven them resigned. y Thc clause was agreed to. agreed to a resolution that, being powerless for _-' The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER .aid had thought it hotter to retire than responsible for coarca other clauses to propose. The Income-tax Acts provided of proceeding of which they could not approve, .- that the income tax should not be deducted from dividends Chester, who also had taken great interest in the . in the funds where a dividend was under oos. That proresigned his position as chairman of the commissi vision was well adapted to the state of the law with incomes assigning as his reason that the executive committee less than 100/. a-year; hut when they adopted the princome to a unanimous vote eanctionmg punislmentwi ciple of stock certificates the rule was entirely altered, and cane at thc uncontrolled discretion of thcschoojn oven the largest holders funds would receive their dividends The hon. member concluded by repeating the question oi i small amounts. He, therefore, proposed clause authowhich given nonce. _. _ rising a deduction in the income tax on all amounts received The Marquis of HAITINGTONaid the manage Stock certificate the Patriotic Fund was in no way whatever under the coagreed to trol of the War Department, and as thc Secretary for War Mr. HUNT said he had a clause to propose which he behad power to interfere with the management of the lieved would remedy what was omission in the act of fund, it would to hold for last session. clause which he begged propose would what had been done the mstitution referred to. fine, exempt from stamp duty the instruments of appointments of however, any responsibility matter fie surveyors of highways, and thc securities given by them, had .had his attention directed to it, he tbougfit He considered that such exemption would just, and the right hon gentleman opposite (Sir J Iakington% -fiO that it ought to be agreed to in principle and in precedent, was one of the Royal commissioners, would give the hon. The tax was virtually a new one, and at the time-; was engentleman in a more satisfactory manner the information acted no such appointments existed under the Highway Act. which he sought, Ha found that in the new Poor Law Act clauae wa. reteoSir J. PAKCTOTON, one the Royal Commisonc duced which every kind instrument for carrying the 1 atnqtio Pond, .aid had some reason complamM out the law from stamp duty, and why should not such the manner which the hon. member for Chicherter imd provision be embodied in the Highway ActHe found also put Ms question the paper. Ho did not thmk the hon. that in South Highway Art it was crpreeel, dcintended anything unfair, but the toms ol

p3

or per tentage urKn car' l iK'fwtK'n J. i'Uu>K_iooiooo;, m.tm. in addition ti thi., the non wk tvt.Tml to. but the were scattered over various parts 1.-mdon, and great loss expense, and inconvcuionoe arose those who had fc . m..'l d.MpUno do thorn. pere'QS. could not K_ . ti sin'ct Mr. said that, practically, the estimate barely b m January. ll, inthat last ear. The reason why the items which 1 death the verdict accidental made up the sum 20, for maintenance and request was hold, and the should have pairs public offices were n.>t given in detail was. that they (Uth. Th _, " "im won! of, won. -. numorou. that their boil, carried out in detail rseted satisfied with t . — - private comw.'uld have caused great expt'nso and. after all, have thrown w .ub S a .Hear.) vury l.ttle Ihjht to, 1, 700 iloma Bjonications the budj . _ v;, r-feronco to of surveys and problematical estimates were included .mmJmit comthe total, there war thi, that the sotl events that and ho much by taking lump sum they were enabled one Bjjttee. dUft-nnces oiiinion; item was in excess in the estimate make the surplus isaretted that tnen wen, ., v — theo dilapply any item whore the cost had been under-estimated, theladies ladu-s without coming to the house. was surprised to fawnce? led to the r. accepted the trust that hear on objection. The total cost the supply water constitutingthe coranmwe. > _ the public offices was .1,000/. — surely not too much. As to was reposed in them, and in the institution the for pumps, pipes, and engines, that was now quire into the manner appointed in the month, item. His attention had been called the very defective were carried on. Those lauies 1 . fir ran aments for dealing with tires should they occur in the of Jantury last year, and they 1 uses rarliament in any the adjacent offices in those meeting- was that . . ti j 0, Whitehall. It was proposed to take advantage the immised inquire into the wnoto . — inquired measely increased power which steam conferred upon tirocollecte very great -r engines, and to render the Government independent of a supjily into all the, l|nliut te o from any the water companies' mams, by propointed out. — (Hear . . .  K.un.l sav that, viding for complete and abundant supply of water from the their I.TIW galUm. mmuto thrown the Uont . U.e ob)to of J l Korofon OlSoo when orootod, and would courre which thought. '.. 0, 1n1111U, ., . thu- they higher than any other, now existence. Iteeides, Urge . commumcatien t' _ committee unless they (tho i tanks would placed the roof. With respect to the prooreutire ceramitfe, .'' censent.il dismis. the lady .uporinr-Ml that the public offloj. when in public buildings should lustitutien. Now that was most emhumisung pay rent, it would vutually carry back to very obSmioriuMtc and placed the esocutivo in, system, to remedy which the separation of the McSt ntuatien. Htbmed the house would not suppose, of woods and the olhco of works had some years boon hesitated as curse which they ought to! upon of woods roccired nll pernot "dismiss the lady superintendent without revenues trail the Crown property. Ihe of CSig any evidence she could bring forward. It was in works had such permanent revenue to deal with. But tkfmJnth March that the ladies' committee called 1 property which they rented from woods thoir"ttcntien to tl.o matter, and it was not until the would, if let to other persons, produce rental It was MIV that they cave their decision; and they passed therefore, only a matter account, while, under present That the committee having carefully considered system, abuses were prevented from creeping in. hoped, and communications that have been submitted | therefore, that his hen friend wimld net press hit motion them, in respect certain punishments reported l-onl J MANNtUb said that though the question Mutediris in the Koy.d Victoria Patriotic School, which had been raised was important ono, it was not new but disapprove of and regret the conduct the the House of fommons. A predecessor right hen. superintendent and the chaplain some instances: gontlcman, when olhco, for somewhere over mdWn the pt'culior circumstancs under which bon money to purobaa sito for the metaou public tto'svstem the schoolhad carried on. the committee ethccs. But the took fright the proposal, and the or inion th:it a tecurrence of those irregularities matter fell through. No doubt it would pay the long be prevented without having recourse to the dismissal, run but the difficulty would be to got bouse to agree to the lady superintendent.'- That resolution was unani, such a vote. asked some explanation m reference to the usly passed by Lord Colchester. General Lindsay, If. Burlmgrijn House. What was to be done with John Colonel Adair, the Rev. Mr. Cooke, one of -t The present Government had abandoned the projects i her Majesty inspectors schooU. and Captain Fishbourne. j their for fcupymg IThose six gentlemen concurred without a single dissentient, b.VI.OMoNS asked what was _ voice in that resolution. the May another meet10, 900/. for — rents, taxes, donations m lieu theret-f.ing was convened, and that occasion nine members Mr. COWTKK explained that in looses the Government i the committee were present, comprising Lord Colchester, Iwere often bound to pay rates and taxes, and where the proGeneral Lindsay, Colonel Adair. Sir John the perty belonged to the Crown, they often made donations Rev. Mr. CV-oke, Captain Pishbourne, Sir Henry Alexander equivalent to what they would have paid had the buildings Spearman, Mr. T. Paring, Sir Richard Curling, and Colonel been rated. As to Burlington Rouse, ho was not prepared Lefrey; and those members heard the minutes of the make any explanation at that moment. Some offices were previous meeting read, unanimously agreed it. They had necessarily in certain localities; as, for instance, the Seamen's come to that decision after grave consideration the eviRegistry, which must at the Kostcnd; but hoped that dence, and never knew any body of men more unauii in few years there would be such additions the public tnous. The next step was meeting to consider the presentj offices as would render much the expense now incurred for of the report to the Royal Commissioners, and at hiring offices unnecessary. j that meeting Earl Grey expressed himself not satisded, i Mr. W. asked for some explanation as to the | and moved a resolution the effect that the committee 000/. for the officers of the Copyhold Commission. should have dismissed the lady superintendent and the chapthought they had little nothing to do, and that it was lain and that resolution was supported two of the comquite time this item should got rid of. missioned, namely, by I-ord Nelson and laird St. Leonards, Mr. said it was quite mistake to suppose that while all the rest of members present, amounting to Copyhold Commissioners hud nothing to do. They had seven, voted for it. The executive committee had been rea great deal important work to do, but there was not constructed, and the Eov. Mr. Woolley, who was one of the timo to into the question. They could not turned out Commissioners of Government Schools, was one its momof doors, and the building they occupied was not too largo bera. The establishment had boon much improved, and for their work. although the ladies- committee had pledged themselves to Lord JOHN MANNERS said if the lion, gentleman resign before the executive committee commenced their inj wanted to have asked a question about the Copyhold Comquiry, could not help believing that even the ladies themmissioners. should have asked why the office was filled up reives' would more pleased the result that had been again other day, when ono the commissioners died, arrived at than otherwise. He had himself visited the (Hear, and laughter.) — " school, and seeing birch rod bunch of cane in the room. Colonel BAUTTELOT asked meaning of "donations, inquired what it was, and ascertaining, ordered its! Mr. COWI'ER explained that, where uot liable for rates, use discontinued, and it was not now used. assured Government sometimes made donations lieu rates, the house that everything that could done had been done. which were mostly the exact amount at which, if they and that to' hs satisfaction, without making victims two! had been liable, they would have been rated, persons. — Hoar.) j Mr. A. SMITH withdrew amendment, and the vote Mr. KINN'AIRJ) thought the explanations that had been was agreed to. given by the right hon. baronet would give great satisfacB.B . to complete the sum necessary for furniture for tion hear.) He felt that his hon. friend below him, public offices. had done good service in bringing the question forward, and Mr. WILLIAM WILLIAMS called attention to the item that he was entitled to thanks for having done so. He (Mr. of 0, 464/. for the department of science and art in the South thought that the use of cane should never Kensington Museum, and objected it. allowed in the girls' school. — (Hear.) Mr. AUGUSTUS SMITH also objected to the item, and Mr. BRISCOE was much pleased on hearing from the said that it was only sly way of getting or 0,000/. right hon baronet that the use the cane in the girls' more than would otherwise granted, school was prohibited. thought it would be weU if the Mr. COWPER said that the expenditure on furniture was committee ladies would superintend the establishment of very carefully watched, and what was here asked was only the trirls- school, and it would, in his opinion, be well if they what was really wanted to enable public make were to meet once a-month at least. Ho agreed that his proper use the museum, hon. friend who brought forward the subject of the present After some discussion. motion was entitled to thanks.-(Hoar, hear.)

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"[CHARLOTTE BENNETT]

CATHERINE BENNETT & CORPORAL PUNISHMENT

Bedfordshire Mercury — Saturday 13 June 1863

ROYAL VICTORIA PATRIOTIC ASYLUM.

CORPORAL PUNISHMENT.

If it had not been from the very formal manner in which this subject was introduced to the attention of the House of Commons by Mr. J. A. Smith, and the delicate way in which Sir J. Packington was compelled to admit the soft impeachment, it would have been scarcely possible for us to believe that the rod was used at any of our public educational establishments as a means of correction; and the disclosures which have now been made in reference to the treatment of offenders, at the Royal Victoria Patriotic Asylum, are of that revolting nature, that will compel many of our readers to question the efficiency and competency of those parties entrusted with its management.

According to the statement of Mr. Smith, it appears that on one occasion a girl named Bennett, for some act of insubordination, had been subjected, by the express directions of the chaplain, to two days' solitarv confinement, being released at night for the purpose of going to bed, but on the second day when her food was being conveyed to her, she was found to be burnt to death. On another occasion, also by the express order of the chaplain, a girl of sixteen years of age was flogged in that establishment, with a birch [and in] additon to these things, it was found that a general system of theft and dishonesty' pervaded the establishment, and the consequence was that the Executive Committee appointed a Ladies' Committee for the purpose of enquiring into the case, management, and direction of the School.

That Committee met, and having thoroughly investigated all matters, came to the conclusion, that the state of moral discipline in the school was most unfortunate, and in their report, insisted upon the dismissal of the Lady Superintendent and the Chaplain, who had sanctioned and earned out such disgraceful proceedings as flogging girls of sixteen years of age. The Executive Committee, in considering the report of the Ladies Committee, adopted many of their valuable suggestions, but refused to dismiss the officials complained of — in fact their offences were condoned, and the blame was shifted from their shoulders to Captain Fishbourne, who claims the merit of hon. secretary, with a salary of 700 a year.

The contemptuous manner in which the Ladies' report was received by the Executive Committee, gave great offence — as well it might — to those who had devoted so many patient hours to arrive at a just conclusion, and seven out of the thirteen members of the Ladies' Committee felt it incumbent upon themselves to resign. The next step was to present a report, embracing these proceedings to a meeting of the Royal Commission, at which Earl Grey and Lord St. Leonards disapproved of the decision, at which the Executive Committee had arrived, and moved the dismissal of the Chaplain and Lady Superintendent, but were outvoted by majority of eight, and Lord Colchester, has since resigned his position as Chairman of the Executive Committee, in consequence of a unanimous vote of that Committee sanctioning punishment with the cane the school mistress, at her uncontrolled discretion. These were the matters brought before the House, and Sir J. Packington who holds seat in the Executive Committee, though he strove hard to explain them a way, and shift them from the Chaplain and the Lady Superintendent, was obliged to admit that the whole statement was true. The Chaplain had ordered one girl to solitary confinement and another girl of sixteen years to be indecently flogged with a rod; the Ladies' Committee had investigated these cases, found them strictly true, and insisted upon the dismissal of the offenders. The Executive Committee, however, condoned the offences, and throw their shield of protection over the Chaplain, seven of the Ladies' Committee resign, 'and subsequently Lord Colchester, on the persistence of the Executive Committee to retain the system of corporal punishment.

Were the Patriotic Asylum a private institution, there would not wanting pens to denounce the attempt to revive the rod and the cane in girls schools; but as a public educational institute, founded by public generosity, and intended to send out into the world women of moral character, it becomes the duty of the journalist to denounce in the severest terms the degrading discipline pursued at the Victoria Asylum. To birch girls, or rather young women, on the bare person, may do for a Haynau or in Austria but is disgusting to our enlightened notions of morals and of decency; and we unhesitatingly say, that the clergyman who could order such a revolting punishment is not only morally unfit to hold his situation at the Asylum, but ought no longer to be considered qualified to wear his gown as a minister. If this be the way he would correct little acts of insubordination, we would give him very little credit for the morals of his pupils. In insisting upon his dismissal, the Ladies Committee acted as became their sex; and finding their request was not listened to, they could not with any sense of delicacy or refinement hold als in the Committee; and we feel pained to think that Sir J. Packington, who has ever been regarded as educational philanthropist, should have allowed himself to so deceit ed and blinded as to plead the cause of a chaplain guilty of such shocking depravity. But these disclosures will not have been revealed in vain and have no doubt the Press and public will take the matter with earnestness.

[BNA: Link.]


"CATHERINE BENNETT & CORPORAL PUNISHMENT

Bedfordshire Mercury — Saturday 13 June 1863

ROYAL VICTORIA PATRIOTIC ASYLUM.

CORPORAL PUNISHMENT.

If it had not been from the very formal manner in which this subject was introduced to the attention of the House of Commons by Mr. J. A. Smith, and the delicate way in which Sir J. Packington was compelled to admit the soft impeachment, it would have been scarcely possible for us to believe that the rod was used at any of our public educational establishments as a means of correction; and the disclosures which have now been made in reference to the treatment of offenders, at the Royal Victoria Patriotic Asylum, are of that revolting nature, that will compel many of our readers to question the efficiency and competency of those parties entrusted with its management.

According to the statement of Mr. Smith, it appears that on one occasion a girl named Bennett, for some act of insubordination, had been subjected, by the express directions of the chaplain, to two days' solitarv confinement, being released at night for the purpose of going to bed, but on the second day when her food was being conveyed to her, BliDfMftSiHWidto be burnt to death. On tmbtHflilil&Sasion, also the express order of sixteeil y ? * e iathat establishment, with a birch to these things, it was found that a general system of theft and dishonesty' penaded the establishment, and the consequence was that the Executive Committee appointed a Ladies' Committee for the purpose of enquiring into the case, management, and direction of the School. That Committee met, and having thoroughly investigated all matters, came to the conclusion, that the state of moral discipline in the school was most unfortunate, and in their report, insisted upon the dismissal of the Lady Superintendent and the Chaplain, who had sanctioned and earned out such disgraceful proceedings as flogging girls of sixteen years of age. The Executive Committee, in considering the report of the Ladies Committee, adopted many of their valuable suggestions, but refused to dismiss the officials complained of — in fact their offences were condoned, and the blame was shifted from their shoulders to Captain Fishbourne, who claims the merit of hon. secretary, with a salary of 700 a year. The contemptuous manner in which the Ladies' report was received by the Executive Committee, gave great offence — as well it might — to those who had devoted so many patient hours to arrive at a just conclusion, and seven out of the thirteen members of the Ladies' Committee felt it incumbent upon themselves to resign. The next step was to present a report, embracing these proceedings to a meeting of the Royal Commission, at which Earl Grey and Lord St. Leonards disapproved of the decision, at which the Executive Committee had arrived, and moved the dismissal of the Chaplain and Lady Superintendent, but were outvoted by majority of eight, and Lord Colchester, has since resigned his position as Chairman of the Executive Committee, in consequence of a unanimous vote of that Committee sanctioning punishment with the cane the school mistress, at her uncontrolled discretion. These were the matters brought before the House, and Sir J. Packington who holds seat in the Executive Committee, though he strove hard to explain them a way, and shift them from the Chaplain and the Lady Superintendent, was obliged to admit that the whole statement was true. The Chaplain had ordered one girl to solitary confinement and another girl of sixteen years to be indecently flogged with a rod; the Ladies' Committee had investigated these cases, found them strictly true, and insisted upon the dismissal of the offenders. The Executive Committee, however, condoned the offences, and throw their shield of protection over the Chaplain, seven of the Ladies' Committee resign, 'and subsequently Lord Colchester, on the persistence of the Executive Committee to retain the system of corporal punishment. Were the Patriotic Asylum private institution, there would not wanting pens to denounce the attempt to revive the rod and the canc in girls schools; but as a public educational institute, founded by public generosity, and intended to send out into the world women of moral character, it becomes the duty of the journalist to denounce in the severest terms the degrading discipline pursued at the Victoria Asylum. To birch girls, or rather young women, on the bare person, may do for a Haynau or in Austria but is disgusting to our enlightened notions of morals and of decency; and we unhesitatingly say, that the clergyman who could order such a revolting punishment is not only morally unfit to hold his situation at the Asylum, but ought no longer to be considered qualified to wear his gown as a minister. If this be the way he would correct little acts of insubordination, we would give him very little credit for the morals of his pupils. In insisting upon his dismissal, the Ladies Committee acted as became their sex; and finding their request was not listened to, they could not with any sense of delicacy or refinement hold als in the Committee; and we feel pained to think that Sir J. Packington, who has ever been regarded as educational philanthropist, should have allowed himself to so deceit ed and blinded as to plead the cause of a chaplain guilty of such shocking depravity. But these disclosures will not have been revealed in vain and have no doubt the Press and public will take the matter with earnestness.

[BNA: Link.]


Morning Advertiser — Tuesday 11 August 1863

CONVEYING A WOMAN NAKED THROUGH THE STREETS


"Lloyd's Weekly Newspaper — Sunday 20 September 1863

THE ENCLOSURE QUESTION

The annual cricket match of the tradesmen sE Wandsworth took place on Tuesday, on the cricket ground, Wandsworth-common, after which dinner, was provided at Mr. Finch's, the County Arms, when there was a large attendance of the inhabitants it having been announced that on this occasion would be taken into consideration what steps should be adopted to prevent the threatened enclosure of the cricketing-ground. The chair was taken by h. Smith, and the vice-chair by Mr. Frost.

Mr. M'Kellar [PB: McKellar — but presumably not the Wandsworth Lodge McKellar] read a memorial proposed to be presented to Earl Spencer; who is the lord of the manor deprecating any further encroachment on the common, and particularly on the cricket-ground.

Mr. Frost, after alluding to the interests in the out-door games of the people manifested by her Majesty and the late illustrious Prince Consort, and referring to ?? Russell's observations on the opening of Baxter-park, Dundee; on the advantages of out-door recreation, complained that the ground on Wandsworth Common was being gradually appropriated to the use of proprietary bodies. l our aares had been attached to the station of the Crystal-palace line, and the Patriotic Fund school had acquired a large portion, and had stopped up a footpath, compelling passengers to go a considerable distance round.

However, the inhabitants would cheerfully put up with this last mentioned encroachment if it stood alone, for they were glad of anything that could promote so laudable an object. But it was now intended to dispose, on building leases, of the portion of the common where, at a considerable expense to the parishioners, a cricket ground had been levelled and maintained. There was no other spot in the neighbourhood available for cricket.

The memorial was adopted, a committee appointed and a vote of thanks accorded to Mr. Buckmaster who had obtained more than 300 signatures to it.

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"Westmorland Gazette — Saturday 3 October 1863

The American Water-weed. — In answer to your leading article*(see p. 889), inviting communications on the Anacharis, Ibeg to give you our experience. Several years ago the weed made its appearance in a fiveacre pond on Wandsworth Common. We were told that an aquarium owner, living more than half mile off, had pat small plant in a pond near his house, for the sake of getting good tank specimen. With spread very rapidly, soon overpowering all the old weeds, and destroying all pleasure in rowing. My brother, who had lately returned from India, suggested dragging it by means of boat oar pushed to the bottom and then twisted round and round; this brought a huge bunch of weeds, with their roots and some mud adhering to them. We found this by no means a bad gymnastic evening exercise, and two of us, one at each end of a pnnt, in little more than an hour had pulled up as great a load as it was pleasant to punt with Finding a greater impression had been made on the enemy than we at first anticipated would be the case, man was employed work constantly, and in about three weeks an immense pile on the bank was the result; this in a few months settled down into a solid black mass, cutting like cheese, which being nsed as manure for the garden has given such Peas and Cabbages as we never had before. Next year the weed came up again in about the same strength. Our friend the late Professor Henslow gave us some hopes that the great strength of growth was partly due to its having found, to it, a virgin soil. Next year came equally strong again, and was converted into another great heap of good manure. This year the growth has been stronger than ever. This is probably due not to the fine summer alone, but also to the fact that our windmill used keep up the water supply supply has been out of order, and that consequently the pond popularly known as the Black Sea " has been much shallower than for some years past. It took about five weeks to clear weed enough to make rowing pleasant, and now have still greater heap of the manure than , usual. We calculated that for our thin soil over gravel the value of this soil-like manure about paid for the man's 1 wages employed. In the country, where there are young men with leisure time and a boat, amateur extraction will be found by no means unpleasant muscular exercise. G. F. Wilson, Wandsworth Common. Gardeners' Chronicle.

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"1863 MEETING WITH SPENCER

Express (London) — Saturday 10 October 1863

ENCLOSURES ON WANDSWORTH-COMMON.

Yeeterday a deputation consisting of the Rev. J. S. Jenkinson, vicar of Battersea; the Rev. W. Hodgson, member of the Wadsworth Board of Works ; Mr. James Walton. churchwarden of Battersea ; Mr. W. Todd, Mr. IL Season, Mr. Buckmaster. and Mr.Corsellis vestry-clerk of Battersea, had audience with Lord Spencer, lord of the manor, relative to the enclosures on Wandsworth-common. After a memorial to his lordship on the subject had been read, Mr. Buckmaster made a statement to his lordship epee the dealt. ability of open spaces being preserved for the recreation sod enjoyment of the public. Earl Spencer replied that he was most anxious to continue the friendly relationship which had always subsisted between himself and the parish, sod that at preset be had no intention or idea of any scheme for enclosing any portion of the common ; that be coacut red in the views expressed by Mr. Buckmaster concerning the desirability of providing open spaces for public recreation to populous localities, and that if at any future period a plan should be brought under his consideratioe he would bear this in mind. He believed that outdoor games arid exercises greatly contributed to the happinesi and morality of the humbler classes, and any future scheme for 'echoer" would be considered with, reference to that object. lordship did not no bow the recent enclosures of the railway, which were, be believed, the only considerable ones that had been made since his succession to the propertr, could sow be interfered with but there wee not the slightest objection to further inquiry being made in the matter parochial authorities ought to have urged their o bjections at the proper times.

After some further explanations from Mr. Walton and Mr. Todd, the deputation thanked his lordship for the very favourable consideration be had given the matter, and then withdrew.

[BNA: Link.]


Express (London) — Wednesday 11 November 1863

Here's an interesting account of Wandsworth Common at the start of the 1860s — at the start of the agitation that saved the Common in 1871.

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THE METROPOLITAN COMMONS.

London enjoys an advantage peculiar to itself, which if properly utilised might be made a genuine and valuable means of health and recreation to the three millions of inhabitants recorded in the last census returns . . . 

We refer to the various large tracts of common land which surround it on every side, and which in consequence of the rapid construction of short lines of railway from the City and West-end are becoming more accessible every day, but which, as they are growing more valuable for the same reason, are threatened with universal enclosure, unless some means be taken to preserve them from the encroachments of building speculators, connived at by lords of the manor, who are every day tempted by large pecuniary offers to give up their own slender rights, forgetful that at the same time they are destroying the rights of the common people, to whom these commons, after all, really belong, and for whose benefit they might be made so many noble free parks and play-grounds . . . 

The short railways are opening up the commons to Londoners day by day, and no sooner does the little station crop up amid the wild heather than down the building speculators, matters are "made pleasant" with the lord of the manor, and the common rights of the millions of the two metropolitan counties are remorselessly destroyed . . . 

Close to Battersea-park lies Wandsworth-common, one of the most beautiful, healthful, and romantic of all our suburban wild lands; but Wandsworth-common is rapidly becoming the prey of the spoiler. It stretches from the high road to between London and Wandsworth on the one side, down to Tooting and Wimbledon on the other, with a noble breadth of heath-covered land all the way, over which a healthful breeze continually plays.

Wandsworth-common is now within a few minutes' distance of London-bridge, of the Waterloo-road, and the Victoria stations, in fact of the most thickly peopled centres of London population. It would, if drained and levelled, make a splendid recreation ground for the toiling millions, and also, what we want most sadly, a noble Champ de Mars for our volunteer army.

The Clapham Junction station, which is situated at about a quarter of a mile distance from the common, is passed by the almost incredible number of 550 trains per diem [PB: it's now more than 2000], the Brighton line has a station close upon its verge, and the South Western Company has secured twelve acres of land within the common itself.

By these means, fifty or a hundred thousand men could at any time be brought to the ground with the greatest facility, as well as ten times that number of spectators, who would be only too proud to see their volunteer army of defence thus turn out some half-dozen times in summer within stone's throw of the great city.

But Wandsworth-common is in imminent peril. The enclosure demon has been nibbling at it during these last twenty years, and it was only a few days since that the copyholders laid their grievances at the feet of Earl Spencer, the lord of the manor.

We are happy to add that the result was so far satisfactory that his lordship promised that no further encroachment should take place during his lifetime; but then a matter in which the public has so deep an interest should not be left dependent on the will of any individual, however influential, whose power to carry out his good intentions ends with his life.

The manorial rights over Wandsworth-common were vested some century or so ago in no less a personage than the famous Lord Bolingbroke; and there is a tradition in the neighbourhood of their having been won from St. John by the Lord Spencer of the period whilst the two were riding across Clapham-common into town, in the highly exciting game of pulling halfpence out of a haystack.

However that may have been, the common remained intact in all its primitive wildness under the Spencer rule until about a quarter of a century since, when the work of enclosure, without any parliamentary formalities, began.

First twenty acres were taken for St. James's School.

Then certain persons leased a large portion, with powers merely to cut turf and cart gravel, and undertaking to apply their profits to the drainage and other improvements of the land in their immediate neighbourhood. They made large profits, but forgot the improvements, and one of their body secured and inclosed about forty acres on his own account, which, on his death, very recently, were sold by auction.

The South Western Railway Company have secured twelve acres in the very centre of the common and enclosed it, having given the copyholders £80 for their right of "tetherage," and of course satisfied the claims of the lord of the manor.

The London, Brighton, and South Coast Company have a station just as its edge, and four acres of surrounding land, and their line runs right through to Wimbledon. This encroachment would seem to have been a must beneficial one, for it enables people to get from London-bridge or Victoria station to the common in a few minutes, and has wonderfully stimulated building speculation in the adjoining (not common) land.

On the right hand side of the high road, from Clapham to Wandsworth town, an extensive settlement has sprung up, called New Wandsworth, consisting of hundreds of handsome villas and cottage, and so great is the demand for these residences consequence of the railway facilities for getting to town, that no sooner is the foundation of a new house dug than the contractor is pestered with applications from intending tenants. This thriving colony is deeply interested in the preservation of the common rights, and its numbers increase every day.

The Patriotic school took a tremendous slice, fifty-two acres, the school buildings forming a conspicuous feature in the prospect, and the great telescope requires some twelve or fifteen acres for its accommodation.

These are a few of the greater encroachments, but there are, in addition, numberless smaller ones of which there is no very distinct record as to how they came about; but there they are, and their tendency is to spread until the whole common is swallowed up if steps be not taken to preserve it for some public use, either a park, a recreation ground, a volunteer review field, or some arrangement which shall answer all these purposes.

There is, for example, a row of houses called Heathfield, running across the centre of the common, of which the history is a little curious. In the year 1832 the spot was occupied by a few tumbledown old houses, mere squatters' huts, and when the first visitation of the cholera broke out in that year theee huts were wed as a sort of suburban cholera hospital. When the pestilence ceased, the present row of handsome houses rose mysteriously in their place, but their very situation shows them to be nothing but as encroachment on the common.

The condition of the ground, which is still left intact, is not satisfactory. The inhabitants of the neighbourhood complain that it the resort of bad characters, and the scene of a great deal of profligacy and immorality.

One of the large prisons impinges on the common — we are not sure whether it is not also an encroachment — but it has a custom which renders it a great nuisance to the neighbourhood. The male prisoners whose time has expired are all let loose at nine in the morning, and the females at ten, and they generally spend the day on the common, surrounded by their friends from town, making holiday in a manner which does not at all conduce to the tranquillity of the vicinity.

A small patch near the western boundary is used as a cricket ground, but the tenant of a neighbouring villas making strenuous efforts to have the cricketing suppressed, on the ground that when the cricketers are tired of their game they are apt to seek variety in the less genteel pastime of "knock 'em downs," a practice to which this gentleman and his family have, it appears, a decided aversion. Should he succeed in banishing the cricketers, another enclosure will most probably follow, and thus, one by one, on one pretence or another, the whole common will be enclosed.

Lord Spencer has, we understand, the right to let, but not for enclosure or building purposes; and on the other hand, the copyholders, who claim exclusively the common rights, can only insist on "tetherage," and the right to cut turf and dig gravel. It is therefore obvious that it is in just such a case that the government ought to step in, purchase the slender rights of both parties, and secure the common for the general public.

Clapham-common is protected, so is Streatham, and Battersea-fields have been purchased. There still remain Wandsworth, Wimbledon, and Tooting, all which are now brought by the railways within a few minutes' ride of the centre of the town, and the opportunity is most favourable for securing them for ever for that portion of the public who are the head landlords of all English ground, but who can show no title-deeds for their ancient patrimony.

[BNA: Link.]

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London Evening Standard — Saturday 21 November 1863

WANDSWORTH BRIDGE.

lncorporation of a Company for making a New Bridge across the Thames, with approaches from the York-road, Wandsworth, to the X bus's* road, Fulham, and to the jurc'lon of Moore Park-road, a;.d Britannia-road, Fiilhim — Amendment of Aofs.)

NOTICE is HEREBY GIVEN that APPLICATION is intended to be made to PARLIAMENT in the coming Session for an ACT to effect the objects hereinafter mentioned, or ionic of them (that is to say),

1. lo incorporate a company (herein called the company) for the purposes hereinafter mentioned.

2 .To enable the company to make the following works (that is to say), (1.) A new bridtrc for carriages, carts, borers, mil ras'encers, a*'ios6the Rive' Thames, with read approaches thereto, on both sides, and wi.h all convenient ar.d necessary abutments, p; ers, laii'ling stairs, and works, to commence in the York-road, Wa is_ worth, 250 feet or thereabouts to the eastward of the junctkn therewith of Jews-road, in the parish of Wandsworth, in the county of Surrey, and to terminate in the King's-roid, in the pirish of Fulham, in the county of Middlesex, 170 feet or thereabouts to the south-westward of the public-house called the Pccrborough Arms, which said bridge, roads, and npproaehes will bo made in or pa-s from, through, or into the several parishes, townships, and extraparochial places 'ollowl'/, or some o r them (that is tosay), Wandsworth, in tke co.inty of Surrey, and Fulham, in the county of Mid dlesex.?? A road commencing In tbo Kings-Toad aforesaid, in Fulham, in the county of Middlescx, at (hi termination of the work hereinbefore described under the number (1) and terminating in the Moore Park-road in Fulham a'orcsaid, on the south-west of, and nearly adjoining to the poi.it where suoh road is crossed by the Britannia-road in Fulham afo*.>C:aid, which said road will bo situate in the said parish of Fulham.?? A road commencing in the York-roa-1, Wandsworth, by a junction with the work hereinbefore described under the No. (l),and formulating at the junction of the high road from Wandsworth to Loudon, and the high road from Wandsworth to the new Wandsworth Station of the Crystal Palace and West-end Kailway,?? said work will be situate in Cie said paris'i of Wandsworth.

3. To enable the company to cro-s, divert, alter, or stop up, either temporarily or permanently, any streets, roads, approaches, ways, wstercoursea, drains, sjwers, and pipes, within the respective parishes, townships, or places aforesaid, whi.*h it may be expedient to cross, divert, alter, or stop up for the purposes a'bresaid.

4. To authorise the company to purchaso by compulsion and by agreement lands, houses, and hereditaments for the pur oses aforesaid, and to vary and extinguish any rights and privileges connected therewith, and all other rights and privileges which would interfere with the execution of the objects of the intended act.

5. To authorise the company to levy tolls, rates, and duties in respect of the said intended bridge, roads, and approaches, and to alter, vary, and extinguish existing t-.lle, rates, and duties, and to confer, vary, or extlnguish exemptions from the payment of tolls, rates, and duties, and to confer, vary, and extinguish other rights ancPprivileges.

To Incorporate with the said bill all or some parts of "The Companies Clauses Consolidation Act, 1815," "The Companies daises Act, 1883," " The Lands Clauses Consolidation Act, isir," "The Lands Clause 3 Consolidation Acts Amendment Act, I860," "The Railways Clauses Consolidation Act, 1815," and "The Railway s Clauses Act, 1863." 7. To repeal or alter the following nets (that Is to say), "The Thames Conservancy Act, 1857," and 'The Waterme#s and'Lightermeu's Amendment Act, 1859." Ou or before the 30th day of November, IW6, plans and sections of the proposed bridge, roads, appruaches, and works, together with a I'ook of reference to such plans and a copy of this notie?. IHshcl in the" London Gazette," will bo deoosited for public inspection with the clerk of the peace for the county of Middlesex, at his office at Clerkenwell.in that oonnty, and with the clerk of the peace for the county of Surrey, at his office at Lambeth, in that county, mid on or before the said 30th day of November, so much of the siid plans and sec ions and book of reference as relates to each parish Irom, or through, or into which th proposed hridge, approaches and works will bo made or j.assed, with a copy of this notice aa published in the "London Gazette," will be depoelted M follows (that Is to say;, in the case of the parish luroiuhl.ro icd as hcicg in the canity of Surrey, with the clerk of the district board of works of the Wandsworth district, and in the ease of the parish hereinbefore described as being In the county of Middlesex, with the clerk of the district board of works of the Fulham district.

On or bc r ore the 23d day of December, 1863, printed copioa of the proposed bill trill bo deposited in the Private BU IOffice of the House of Commons.

Dated this llth day of November, 18f!3. FEARON and CLA BON, 21, Great George-street, Westminster.

[BNA: Link.]

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London Evening Standard — Saturday 21 November 1863

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(Click on image to enlarge)




WANDSWORTH BRIDGE

lncorporation of a Company for making a New Bridge across the Thames, with approaches from the York-road, Wandsworth, to the Kings's road, Fulham, and to the junction of Moore Park-road, and Britannia-road, Fulham — Amendment of Acts.)

NOTICE is HEREBY GIVEN. that APPLICATION is intended to be made to PARLIAMENT in the coming Session for an ACT to effect the objects hereinafter mentioned, or some of them (that is to say),

1. To incorporate a company (herein called the company) for the purposes hereinafter mentioned.

2. To enable the company to make the following works (that is to say),

A new bridge for carriages, carts, horses, and passengers, across the River Thames, with road approaches thereto, on both sides, and with all convenient and necessary abutments, piers, landing stairs, and works, to commence in the York-road, Wandsworth, 250 feet or thereabouts to the eastward of the junction therewith of Jews-road, in the parish of Wandsworth, in the county of Surrey, and to terminate in the King's-road, in the parish of Fulham, in the county of Middlesex, 170 feet or thereabouts to the south-westward of the public-house called the Peterborough Arms, which said bridge, roads, and approaches will be made in or pass from, through, or into the several parishes, townships, and extraparochial places following, or some of them (that is to say), Wandsworth, in the county of Surrey, and Fulham, in the county of Middlesex . . . 

(2.) A road commencing in the Kings-Road aforesaid, in Fulham, in the county of Middlescx, at the termination of the work hereinbefore described under the number (1) and terminating in the Moore Park-road in Fulham aforesaid, on the south-west of, and nearly adjoining to the point where such road is crossed by the Britannia-road in Fulham aforesaid, which said road will be situate in the said parish of Fulham.

(3.) A road commencing in the York-road, Wandsworth, by a junction with the work hereinbefore described under the No. (l),and formulating at the junction of the high road from Wandsworth to London, and the high road from Wandsworth to the new Wandsworth Station of the Crystal Palace and West-end Railway, said work will be situate in the said parish of Wandsworth.

3. To enable the company to cross, divert, alter, or stop up, either temporarily or permanently, any streets, roads, approaches, ways, watercourses, drains, sewers, and pipes, within the respective parishes, townships, or places aforesaid, which it may be expedient to cross, divert, alter, or stop up for the purposes aforesaid.

4. To authorise the company to purchase by compulsion and by agreement lands, houses, and hereditaments for the purposes aforesaid, and to vary and extinguish any rights and privileges connected therewith, and all other rights and privileges which would interfere with the execution of the objects of the intended act.

5. To authorise the company to levy tolls, rates, and duties in respect of the said intended bridge, roads, and approaches, and to alter, vary, and extinguish existing t-.lle, rates, and duties, and to confer, vary, or extinguish exemptions from the payment of tolls, rates, and duties, and to confer, vary, and extinguish other rights and privileges.

6. To incorporate with the said bill all or some parts of "The Companies Clauses Consolidation Act, 1815," "The Companies Clauses Act, 1883," "The Lands Clauses Consolidation Act, isir," "The Lands Clause 3 Consolidation Acts Amendment Act, I860," "The Railways Clauses Consolidation Act, 1815," and "The Railway s Clauses Act, 1863."

7. To repeal or alter the following nets (that is to say), "The Thames Conservancy Act, 1857," and 'The Watermen's and Lightermen's Amendment Act, 1859." On or before the 30th day of November, 1863, plans and sections of the proposed bridge, roads, approaches, and works, together with a I'ook of reference to such plans and a copy of this notie?. IHshcl in the" London Gazette," will bo deoosited for public inspection with the clerk of the peace for the county of Middlesex, at his office at Clerkenwell.in that oonnty, and with the clerk of the peace for the county of Surrey, at his office at Lambeth, in that county, mid on or before the said 30th day of November, so much of the siid plans and sections and book of reference as relates to each parish Irom, or through, or into which th% proposed bridge, approaches and works will be made or j.assed, with a copy of this notice aa published in the "London Gazette," will be depoelted M follows (that Is to say;, in the case of the parish luroiuhl.ro icd as hcicg in the canity of Surrey, with the clerk of the district board of works of the Wandsworth district, and in the ease of the parish hereinbefore described as being In the county of Middlesex, with the clerk of the district board of works of the Fulham district.

On or before the 23d day of December, 1863, printed copies of the proposed bill will be deposited in the Private BU IOffice of the House of Commons.

Dated this llth day of November, 1863. FEARON and CLA BON, 21, Great George-street, Westminster.

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"wandsworth working men's club "

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"ROYAL VICTORIA PATRIOTIC ASYLUM

House Of Commons, Monday, June 1.

Date: Tuesday, June 2, 1863

Publication: The Times (London, England)Issue: 24574

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The case of the girl Bennett

On the question that the speaker leave the chair to go into committee of supply,

Mr J.A. Smith said he rose to ask the question of which he had given notice, and which he postponed on Thursday, believing it to be the wish of the right hon baronet the member for Droitwich that he should do so. The Royal commissioners appointed by Royal

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ible to offer their explanation eqnaujpnbEely.The questioin alludes in very prominent terms-to the flogging,iathe hon. member call it, of a girl of 16. The hon. gentleman has justtdtthatsuewasnot16. She ws a &irlin her 16th year, and for an act of insubordination she was punished with a birch rod. I do not either in myown name or in that of the committee for is moment vindicate that proceeding. (Hear, hear.) The executive committee entirely disapproved of it, and have taken such precauions as wilt most effectually prevent the recurrence of sny such punishment.. Iwill go further, and state that we have ascertained that in the early days of this establishment there were several things done, and several practices adopted, of which we aro equally una!ble to approve. At the same time, although it is not my duty to caist blame upon parties who are not before this House Isin bound to state that for the irreg~ularities to which IS have adverted there are parties who are more to bTame than either the lady superintoadent or the chaplain. The lady superintendent is the daughter of a verv distinguished naval officer, and a lady of the highest character.a The chaplain is a most highly respectable clergyman of the Chmrch of England asnd oath these persons are, as I am sure the House will admit, entitled to the strictest justiceat the hands of those who have to judge of their conduct. The hoc. gentleman has fallen into a mistake in saying that the management of this school is under the executve committee In the first instance that was in some respects the case, bui the executive committee aftervards apnoiuted a sub-commnittee of their body, called the house committee, to undertake that duty, and as a was not a member of that body, Ionly speak of what occurred at this early peiod from hearsay. Ialso oughlt to have said that this whipping of the girl took place in the month of January, 18i61, and in Januarv, 1862, oceurred the death by fire of another pupiL I hope Ineed iot assure the Houso that the executive committee and every one counected with the establishment, heard of that melancholy event with the feelings of sorrow which it was calculated to inspire; but I do think that the hon. gentleman has made a most extraordinary statement this eveninag The coroner's jury returned a verdict of " Accidental death, " and Ibe-, leve that lo verdict was over more thoroughly justified by the facts; but the hon. gentleman has told us that ho has made it his duty to hold private communication with the jurymen who sat upon that inquiry, and that he has ascertained from them that they were dissatisfiedwith the wholo of the proceedings. rthink that Imay venture to say that I am dissatisfied with the proceeding of the hon. gentleman. Inever heard of & more irregular proceeding bear, hear), and I hopa that the rouse will not allow its judgment to be influenced by the private conversation between the hou. member for Chichester and the jurymen, who, whatever feelings they may have entertained about the proceedings did not record them in the verdict which they found. (Hear, hear.) I am sure that my hon. friend is the last man to say that in a discussion in this House we can listen to any opinion of ajury except as it is recorded in the verdict returned by the jury upon the case into which they have to inquire. But what else aidthe hon. gentleman tell us? If thero isanyparticular object in his question, it is to censure the executive committee for what he called "condoning" the officials, viz., the lady superintendent and the chaplain — and he has told us, in speaking of this melancholy event, that when it occurredehe ladysuperitendent was far away from the building, and that her two sc'nooTmistresseswho were in fault were dismissed. Under these circumstances I was surprised to hear him eadeavour to swell his charge either against the officials, as he calls them, or against the executive committee by alluding to this melancholy event of which I have givQn to the Houm an explanation whieh I think must be considered quite satisfactory, The hon. gentleman is quite correct in saying that the sad event led to the appointment of a committee of ladies T am very sorry to be obliged to admit the fact to which the hon. member has also adverted, that a great difference of opinion arose between those ladies and the executive conmmittee, and was carried to such an extent that seven out of the13ladies resigned their positions outho comniittee. No one is more sensible than I am of the excellent and most benevolent motives with which those ladies undertook their duties; and further, I am quite willing to admit that they discharged those duties with considerable ability and acuteness. 'hey accepted the trust reposed in them, and the finst thing they did was to assemble at the institution and carry on a diligent inquiry into the modo in which its operations were conducted. If Iremember rightly, they were appointed last year late in January orin the beginningof February, and inthe monthof February they held two meetings, which resulted in a report, not to the house committee, but to the executive committee, which promised to institute a searching invesyigation into every complaint made by the ladies' committee. The hon. gentleman opposite admitted that the executive committes did correct by far the greater number of pointso

bjected to by the-ladies' committee, and thosecorrections were amply acknowledged by them. But I deeply regret to say thatexcellentandrunquestionable as were the motives of these ladies, they adopted a course at the commencement of the investigation by the executive committee which was injudicious and unfortunate. The majority of the ladies forwardeda communication stating thattheywould notcontinue to act unless wO dismissed from their situations the Ltdy superintendent and the chaplain. The House will see that the executive committee was thereby placed in a most painful and embarrassing position. We had two alternatives before us, either to dismiss this highly respectable lady and clergyman frorn their situations, because the ladies' committee told us to do so on pain of losing their services, or, on the other hand, to go judicially into an investigation of the conduct of thlese twvo persons and to come to such a conolusion as our sense of justice might think fit. I hope the House will not suppose that the executive committee hesitated which course to adopt. (Hear.) Our investigation of the circumstances occupied a considerable time, although no pains were spared to arrive at a just and a promrt conclusion. In March we received an intimation forom the ladies that they would insist on the dismissal of these officers, and on the 9th of May the executivocommittee adopted this resolution:, " Resolved,That the committee, having carefuly considered the coasmnmicatlons and evidence which have been submitted to them, with respect to the managpement of the Royal Victoria Patriotic Asylum, and certain punishments which have been infficted, disapprove and regret the conduct of the lady superintendlent and the chaplain in somie instances. But considering the peculiarcircumstances under which the schools have been carried on in the absence of regular supervi3ion, excepting that of the senior honorary secretary of the Royal Commission, the commnittee are of opinion that a recun-ence of these faults may be prevented by improved regulations and proper inspection, and that taerefore it is not necessary to proceed to the extreme measure of nov calling upon either the lady superintendent or chaplain to resign their situations.", That resolation was passed without a dissentient 'voice by the executive committee, and Iwvill beg leave to read the names of the gentlemen by wvhom it was adopted:-Lord Colchester, in the chair, General Lindsay, Sir J. Paldngton, Colonel Adair, Rev. F. C. Coolk, and Captain Fishbourne. On the 2Sth of 3May another meeting of the executive committee vas held, and was more fully attended, nine gentlemen being present on that occasion. These were Lord Colchester, as before, in the chair, Sir J. Pakington, General Lindsay, Sir Alexander Spearinanu, 3r. T. Baring, M.P., Sir Richard Kirby, Captain Fishbourne, Colonel Adair, and Colonel Lefroy. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed, and although my name stands as one upon the list of gentlemen I have Pamed, I think Imay appeal without presumption to the House whether thoso are names likely to como lightly or rashly to a decision. We did so after grave consideration and full discussion of the evidence, and Inever saw any body of gentlenien moro unanimously persuaded of the Justice of the course they took. The next step was to present a report embracing these, proceedings to theRoyal Commissiouers, and at a meeting of that body Earl Grey, who was not satisfied vith the decision of the executive conimitteo or the report to which they had agreed, moved a resolution in a con-rary sense, declaring that the lady superintendent and chaplain ought to be dismissed. That resolution was fuUy considered by the Royal Commissioners preseut, only t, vo of whlom supported it, a majority of seven voting for itsreection. My hon. and ca'danstfriend the member for North Lancashireaccidentallyleftthe room, and was not present at the division, hut came in immediately after-, sards, and expressed his great regret that ho was not in time to record his vote wvith the majoriiy. Therefore I think I am fairly at liberty to say that eight to three of the Royal CommissiOnerS were in favour of the unanimous decision of the executive committee. the two Commissioners who supported Earl Grey's view were Lord Nelson and Lord St. Leonard's. The opinion of Lord St. Leonaril's Ineed not say is entitled to great weight, but his daughter being a mamber of the ladies' committee, he entertaied a very warm opinion on the matter. However, themr was a meeting of the Royal Comnmissioners about 10 dtys or a fortnightago, which Lord St. Leonard's attended, and in the most frank spirit lie declared that having passed several hours on the previous day in looking over the establishment at Wandsworth, be felt bound, after the part he took the year before, to state that he had never seen greater imiprovements effected in the time, or a public institution in a more satisfactory condition. (Hear, hear.) It only remains for me nowv to answer the Lhtter part of the question of the hon. gentleman. lean assure him that we have endeavoured to take everypossible precaution to prevent the recurrence of any of the features wbich we felt bound to disapprovo in connexion with the institution. Instead of leaving the care of the asylum to a sub-committee, the two committees, are now ifentical, and the supervision devolves upon .the whole execative committee. That committee has bereconstituted, and amongother additions Imav mention that it now includes the name of the Rev. Dr. NWoolley, inspector of Government schools under the Admiralty, and also that of the Chaplain to the Forces. (Hear, hear.) We have established regular monthly meetings at the asylum, at which all the proceedings are investigated by the committee; and lately we haveone a step further and organized inspection, week after week, by individual, members of the committee. (Hear, hear.) The ladies' committee had unfortunately pledged themselves to resign before the decision of the executive committee had been taken, and thereby cut the ground from under them, and were obliged to, carry out thei. intention. He believed, however, thateven these ladies would rejoice to hear that the management of the institutionwas now placed on a satisfactory basis, and that this had been done without inflicting injustice on two most respectable individuals. The hon. member considered the resignation of Lord Colchester a grave matter, and said that the masters and mistresses now would have the po er of usintg the cane at their uncontrolled discretion. Tlas was not the fact; teltre was a punihsonent book, in which all punishments were entered. The committee adopted a resolution that corporal punishment might be inflicted to the extent of giving three stripes on .the hand with a cane, and. Lord Colchester thereupon resigned. Last year when the executive committee wero investigating these matters, and were, engaged in drawing up a new code of rules, they made it their duty to visit three or four of the great pnblic establishments in the neighbolurhood of the methopolis in whiclh children of both sexes wrere brought utp. Thley found that the use of the cane to a limited extent was considered necessary in these schools. In visiting one of these asylums the first thing that attracted his atteation in the board room was the, regulations permitting the infiction of this corporal panish., tnent with the cane. When the House, remembered theclassof children in these establishments, e nd thenecessity of prtsersing disdplin, they would, he thought, consider that the committee had not acted very far wrong in borrowing this regulation from the large schools near London. "He trasted he-had satisfied the lion, member tnati the report of the Madies' committee had received respectful atteunion. The whole establishment, had been put on a newr footing, and that had been done without making a victim of two persons who did not deserve it. The executive committee considered it to be their duty to look to the future rather than to the past. They did not shrink from the responsibility of what they had done, and were perfectly wiinu; tosubmit to any inquiry which Parliament might think It necessary to institute. (Hear, hear), Mr. EINAIRiD said that the explanation of the right hon. gentleman would give great satisfaction after the reports that had been current. The lato Secretary of Stste for War had told him that the report of the Committee of the Patriotin Asylum would be laid before Parliament, but it had notyet beenpresented. [Sir J. Pakington.-"Itwill be laidon the tableto-night, "] At presentno one knew whether the committee were responsible to Parliament or not. An institution containing 30 girls certainly required a ladies' committee., Sir T. P?AKIGTOLT said that only seven out of 13 of the indies' committee resigned. The asylum had never ceased to be superintended by ladies., Mr. KINNAIRI) was sorry that the right bon. gentleman had justified the use-of the Cane in the girls' school, as he believed that other punishments rmight bea found, and that it was undesirable to give the mistress the power of infiiCting personal chastisement upon some unfortunate girl in a moment of anger., Mr. BPIISCOE was glad that his hon. friend (Mr. J. A. Smith) had brought this subject under the notice of the House. Hebelieved he understood the-right hon. gentleman to say that the use of the bireh iwas entirely discDntinued. [Sir J. Paldngton.-" Yes."] He could not think it Tight that the secretary to the asylunm should have the power of sending two girls to be mesmerizad, as had been tdone., M hr. CORRY said that a medical officerof experience i now attended the asylum daily, and no cases were treated, except under his direction., The motion was then agreed to, and the House went into Committee of Supply., On the vote of .30, 8431. to complete the charge for maintenance and repairs of Royal palaces, , Mr. AUGUSTUS SMITH said the vote wYas not arranged qntoe as persp1cuonusy as could be desired. For instance, they jumped fror Windsor to Pimnnco, and from that to Richmond or HLampton Court. It was also a question whether the large sums expended on furniture should Sot have come out of the privy purse. Some few years ago it was said that the savinos in the Civil List arounted to several thousands a year, which w, ere paid into the privy purse. If that was so, it was not fair to make those additional char">es. He wanted to know why the ornamental gates which~ had been removed from Ham pton Conrt to lKensington had not been restored to their place alt H ampton Court., SirJ, . SHELLEY said he thoughttheosystemofsuper vision of the Offico of Works with regard to sapplying the furniture of the palaces was exceUent., Mr. AUGUSTUS SMITH said he did not object to the vote on that score, but what he wvanted to know was why the matter was put under two or three different heads., Sir M. PETO called the attention of the noble viscount and the right bhon. gentleman (Mr. CoDwper) to the total iuadequacy of the arrangements for the reception of Her MIajesty's subjects at St. James's Palace on State occasions. He trusted the noble lord would turn his attention to this matter., Mr. COWPER said the hon. member for T;, .ro complinned of the system upon which the accounts were arranged, but he thought it was a very clear and intelligible one. The whole was arranged under three headfirst, as related, to palaces in the personal occupation of Her Majesty; secondly, to palaces in partial occupation, such aS St. James's; and, thirdUy, to the palaces which were not in any respect occupied by Her Majesty. With regard to the furnishin"of the first, the expense wvasprovided by the Lord Cbam'6erlini, but the expense for the furnishing of St. James's Palace, as far as related to the State rooms, came out of the vote before the Committee, andthat was the case also with respect to the palaces under the third head. With respect to the ornamental railing which had been at Hampton Court, it was so damaged from long exposure to the weather that it was thought weitnot to leave it any longer in the open air. The managers of the South Kensington MEuseum thoug-ht that the money would be well spent in restoring the railing, and they did restore it. It was a most beautiful specimen of iron workmanship, and was a great additionto theindustria1museum; but it could not be again placed in the open air without injury., The vote was then agreed to., On the vote of 82, 7511. to complete the sum for maintenance and repairs of public buildings, supply of water, &c.s, Mr. WILLIAMS'said there were items of 3,0001., 4,0001., and 3, 1001., or upwards of 10,0007, alto"ether, for supply of water to both Houses of Parliament, to otier publiobuildings, and to the fountains of Trafalgar-square. That was a very heavybcharge for a thing which ought have been amply provided for many years ago. He also wished to know what was meant by proposina houses and furniture for the forification department in this vote., Mr. COWPERWaid thatthe War Depaftmentin Pall-mall woS not large enough to afford accommodation for the drawing of the fortification plans, and it had been necessary to hire a house for the purpose., Mr. CHILDERS rose to call attention to the totally inadequate supervision at present exercised over the public works and buildings in which the Government were interested. If the present age were an age of engineering, as ithad been described by an hon. member, it was certainly rather extraordinary that Parliament should have so singularly neglected to make some adequate provision for the supervision of our great public works and buildings. Considering the enormous staff which this country had at its command a few years ago, it must be notorious to everr one that we were rapidly losing ground, as to our public works and buildinas, in comparison with continental nations. He did not wish that we should servilely copy the arrangements of foreign nations, but something must speedilybedone, foritwas impossible to go on with the present insufficient arrangements, which in a.few years hence would probably place us under the necessity of resorting to a change, perhaps, of soniewhat a revolutionary character. The very position of the President of the Board of Works WaS a sufficient indication of the unsatisfactory nature of our arrangements. To him seemed to be assi"ned the general superintendence of public works, but hi'energies were principally devoted to the supervision of the casual erection of one or two great works in the metropolis, to look after the public parks, and to see that the futrniture of the public offices was properly purchased and properly accounted for. What might be called the genersl en"ineering superintendence of our publio works was divided between two or three different departments. Harbour works, for instance, were supervised by the Treasurymilitary works, of course, , by the War Department; and the Board of Trade had the supervision of the railway works. In fact, the functions of supervision were so confused and scattered among different departmuents tint it was impossible they could be efficiently and economically exercised. He hoped that before long some member of the House would take up the subject, and would enforce the necessity of a change. He had no wvish servilely to copv the arrangements of our neighbours, but if the supervision of the cvil buildings (for military works must of course be excepted) were concentrated under one departinent, and if that department were charged with the functions now exercised by five or six, great inconvenience and many blunders would be avoided., Lord PALMERSTON.-The proposal of my hon. friend, I am afraid, would involve a more material change in our system than is congenial to our constitutionalarrangements. It is quite true that in France and other countries the Government execises great control over all works, whether private or public, but that is not a proposition wvhich would he in accordance with the feesings of this country or with the general arrangements which prevail her. do not admit what my hon. friend starts with, that we are behind other countries in architectural develop. meat. If anybody wiU go to Liverpool, to Leeds, to Man. chester, or to other great towns, he wil see buildings of the most beautiful description, erected, not under the control of the Government, but by persons employed bv the municipalities of the towns themselves. (Hear, hear.) Build.ings which are realy an honour to the country and are quite eq, ual in beauty to anything on the continent. Myhon. friend I am sure cannot mean that a department of the Government should supervise and direct the municipal corporations and the publc buildings of the towns., Mr. CHILDERS.- Iconfined my remarks to the publio buildings of the Government., Lord PALMERSTON.-There are very few public buildings connected with the Government, and they are under the supervision of my right hon. friend the First Commissioner of Works. It is quite clear that different public works require different supervision. You would not put the same man to supervise the erection of a barrack whom you would put to supervise a post-office or a harbour. There must be different kinds of supervision, and I do not believe thatyou woul find any arran"ement different from that which now exists which wouldIs compatible with our Constitution. (Hear.), M1r. AUGUST'US SMITH thought there was a great want of consistency of plan in our public workcs, as well as of regularity in the way in which theywere conducted. He objected to the first item in this vote of 25,0001 as " the sum that will be 1, required for the maintenance and repair of public offices, anm char-ges attendlant thereon." Some explanation shouild be given of this. The last item in the vote was 1s3, 512I. for Scotland, whereas last year's estimate was only 10.8901. This made it the more necessary that details should be given. He observed that the charge made for rent where public propertywas occupied appeared to be growing, although the country was, in his opinion, as vell entitled as the Crown to the use of that property rent free. The, might as well charge rent on thepalaces or parls. A ground.rent of upwards of 1,000ws paid on the Geological Museum in Jermyn-street. Again, a su of money baa been voted to purchase land for pubhc offices, and it had actually been psid to the WVoods and FRorests. He moved the reduc. tionof the vote by the susm of 7, O00t, MAr. BRISCOE thought details should be given, otherwise comparisons could not fairlybo made one year with another. Looking to some of the ether stems, he asked was it necessary to expend 4.0001. on pipes and engines every year7 With regard to this miserable fountains je Trafalgar-squnre, be thought it wrould be much better to have them filled with azaleas and other beautiful plants, than continue the objects of public derision, , Sir IL PETO observed that the amount paid last year for the rent of public oEfices was 24,0007.; this year the estimate was 20, 35Si. This represented little short of a millioji of nioney capitalized. He hopedl the' right hon. gentleman would, during the recess, consult some architect who was competent to deal with the ouestior. having special rcgard, to the fact, tbnt at present'7rnany.E the public offices were so tistnut from e2ch other hat it " as much s any man, having occasion to go to several of them; could acCODplish in the course of a mornig.', ldr. COWfPER slaid the apparenlt intcrease of 3, 2591. over lastyearwas iowingnto certain re-vot f4chitwas ecessary to takeof moneys nexpended on the 31st of March last, auD which had, according to rule, to be re'aid into the Exchequer. Therefore, the vote of this year did not realy exceed that of last year. The sum of 20, 41J. for repairs in publio offices was nor given in detail, because it was made up of many hundreds.of separate items which would have greatly swelled the budlk of the printed Estimates The subsequent items wre. for buildings, wich did not como under the category of public offices. He was surprised to hear complaint made of thersum spent for the supply of watertothe Eouses of Parliament and other pub, lic buildings, &c. The suc required for the ordinary supply was 3,000!. a year-a lessamor, ntby800! than that for which it could beobtained from the companies besides which. the water wvas the only really pure water in Iondon. There was another item of 4, 00DI. for engine, pumps, and pipes to provide a proper supply in case of fire, the meanus previously available for that purposebeingdeemedin sufficient. This wasinthenature of a first charge. not a recurring expense, and wonld lie a very prudent and economical outlay. Pipes would be laid down which would bring the water from the Serpentine at any momentwhen it was required, and the steamn engine would be of sufficient power to raise it to the level of the tanks on the top of the Houses of Parliament, the new Foreign-office, the India-office, and the other public buildinus in that vicinity. The motion of the hon. member for Truro, with a view to preventanyrentheing paidby the Ofcce of Works to the Office of Woods went entirely in the wrong direction. the great advantage of the Act of 1851 was that none of the moneys of the landrevenue could be spent on objects the cost of which ought to be defrayed out of the votes of Parliamnent. But theeffectof thehon. gentleman's proposal would be that the revenues from the hereditary land3 of the Crown would be spent instead of the funds voted by Parliament, and that the old abuses which the present arraDgement was intended to repress would be revived. For example, before the houso now used as. a Geological Museum in Jermyn-street was so occupiedit might gave been let to private parties, and great confusion of accounts would arise from depriving the Laud Revenue of th6 rent it would otherwise receive from letting the property to private individuals merely because it happened for the time being to be occupieEffor a publicpurpose. The Office of Woods received all the proceecs it could obtaia from land beneficially used, and of which it was the trustee. TheOffice of WYorks received noi money from any land, its only receipts being the casual sums derived from grazing in the Parks, and that seemed a much more accurate division of the functions of the two offices than the hon. gentleiiianrecommended. The hon. member asked whether it was not right that a public use should be made of some of these houses. There was no objection to that, except that the matter vws one of mere account, and it-woulclavoid confusion if such a course were not adopted. le hoped the hon. gentlemian would not go to a division., Lord J. 3MANNERS said the hon. baronet the member for Finsbury had raised an important question, but it was not altogether new to that Honse. When Lord Lhanover was at the Office of WVorks he broached a great scheme for, purchasing a large tract of land in the immediate vicinity of the Houses of Parliament as a site for public offices, at all expense of considernbly over a million sterling, but the House took fright at the magnitude of the proposal, and it was dropped. (Heir, hear.) He was afraid that, although the execution of such a giantic scheme might be atser and more economical in the end than the existing arrangement, the House would be again appalled at its proportions. The various departments were, nodoubt, in an unsatisfactory state; but it should be recolected that many of the offices were temporary in their nature, and it was hardly worth while to go to great expense in purchasing sites and erecting stately buildings upon them. He observed a small item for Burlington-house. What did the Government pro-, se to do with that building and the ground attached to it? The late Government had a scheme for devotin" Butlin"ton-house to important. public purposes, but wAten Lord Derb7 left office that scheme was knocked on the head, and Burhngton-house still remained almost unoccupied. He wished to know whether any additional use was to be made of it., Mr. Alderman SALOMONS asked for an explanation of the enormous item of 10, 9001. for rates and taxes, or donations in heu thereof, and insurance., Mr. COWPER replied, that in cases of leases the Government were often bound to pay rates and taxes. They were not so bound by law in the case of Crown property, but they were in the habit of giviug donations in lu of rates and taxes. He might mention that only a small portion of the 26,000!. was spent for Government offices, prop3rly so called, considerable sums being given for such houses as law offlces and courts, museums, the NTational Portrait Gallery, and the Seamuen's Registry. About 1.2, 0O0l. or 13, 0ool was the amountpaidoenaccount of officeswhich might be accommodated in one large building. Ho did not Contemplate any such grand scheme as that to which the noble lord oppositehadalluded; but he boped that in the course of a few years something would be 'done with the sites which had been purchased for public offices. The site in Downing-street, for example, might probably have an office built upon it as soon as the Foreign-office was completed. He was not prepared at present to make any statement with respect to Barlington-house., Mr. WILLIAMS reminded the right hon. gentleman that he had not explained the necessity for baving three copyhold commissioners in a house rented at 900!. a year., Mfr. COWPEP. said that more work had been thrown upon the commissiouersbv several Acts of Parliament. The comnmissioners had a great deal of business to do, and the building they now occupied was not too large for them. It was necessary that they should be lodged somewhere., Lord J. MANTERS thought it would have been more to the point if the hon. member had asked the head of the Government why, when one of the commissioners died sometime ago, the vacant office was filled up., Mr. AUGUSTUS S TIITH withdrew his amendment, ancd The vote was agreed to., On the vote of 18, 879!. for furniture of public offlces, , Mr. AUGUSTUS SMITH moved the reduction of the vote by 6, 4641., the ameount charged for the Science and Art Department. This sum, he said, was not really wanted for furniture, which formed the subject of a separate item, but for fittings. It was, in short, a sly way of getting a few thousands more under the head of furniture., Mr. CO WPER said that the Science and Art Department would only he too glad to he allowed to determine their own fittings and furniture. He assured the comniittee that the items had been carefully examinesl, and that the fittings and furnishings in question were really necessary in order that t"


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"CHANCERY — DU CANE — KEMP-V-NUNN-NUNN-V-KEMP-1863-1890s

In Chancery: "Kemp v. Nunn,'' " Nunn v. Kemp." — Valuable Freehold and long Leasehold Building Land, Residential Estates, Ground Rents, Dwelling-houses, and Shops, with land tax, as to the principal part, redeemed.- Upper Tooting, Streatham, and Balham.

FRANCIS FULLER, the person appointed by the Judge, to whose Court the above causes are attached will SELL, by AUCTION, at the Mart, opposite the Bank of England, on MONDAY, the 31st day of August, 1863, at twelve for one o'clock, pursuant to an Order of the High Court of Chancery, made in the said causes, with the approbation of the said judge.

Several Valuable FREEHOLD and LEASEHOLD ESTATES in thirty lots, comprising an important building estate remarkably well situate at Upper Tooting, and admirably adapted for the erection of family mansions and first-class villa residences, possessing excellent frontages to the high road from London to Tooting, and from Tooting to Wandsworth, beautifully ornamented with timber, having gravelly sub-soil and within easy access byroad and rail of all parts of the metropolis, six freehold Dwelling-houses four with shops, situate at Upper Tooting.

Desirable Freehold and part Leasehold Family Residence, pleasure grounds and gardens, known as the Hawthorns, situate at Upper Tooting, on lease at a rental of tltitf pt annum.

A very beautiful Residential Estate, known as The Willows, situate at Balham, within a few minutes' walk of the station: comprising residence and park-like pleasure grounds the whole containing upwards of 13 acres, and let on lease at £150 per annum.

[WAS THIS WHERE THE FUTURE DU CANE COURT WILL BE BUILT?]

Certain well-secured Ground Rents, amounting to £45 per annum, arising out of two remarkably well-built villa residences.

Desirable Family Residence, known as The Boundary, with pleasure grounds and gardens of four aces beautifully situate close to Wandsworth-common and within a few minutes walk of Balham Station, let on lease at a ground rent of £55 per annum, with early reversion to the rack rent estimated at £100 per annum.

The well-known Nursery dwelling-house. gardens, and out-buildings, close to the Balham station. Two well-secured Ground Rents of £9 each arising out of two excellently-built family residences, and pleasure grounds and gardens, situate at Balham-hill, with early reversion to the rack rents, estimated at £80 each. Semi-detached Villa Residence, pleasure grounds and gardens, let on lease with early reversion to the rack rent, estimated at £100 per annum.

Five well-built Family Residences (one with shop), and garden ground attached, the whole forming Balham-place and numbered 1 to 5 respectively, directly facing the high road from London to Tooting, and let on lease at ground rents producing £35 per annum, with early reversion to the rack rents estimated at £130 per annum.

Desirable semi-detached Family Residence, with lawn and pleasure grounds overlooking the high road from London to Tooting and within a few minutes' walk of the Balham Station, let'?? ground rents producing am per annum, with eariy re version to the rack rent, estimated it -I'o nJ

A Remarkably beautiful Residential Estate known as Fernside, pleasantly situate, overlooking Wandsworth common and within a few minutes' walk of the Balham and Wandsworth stations, comprising family mansion, park-like pleasure grounds, ornamental lake, and flower gardens, the whole encircled with terrace walks and shrubberies, and 'containing upwards of 12 acres, on lease, expiring Lady-day, 1899, at £79 17s per annum, with reversion to the rack rent, estimated at £350 per annum.

Five well-built family residences, pleasure -3? -3 and outbuildings, beautifully situate, overlooking Wandsworth common; the whole producing £230 per annum.*" with early reversion to the rack rents, estimated at ib00 per annum

Particulars and conditions are ready, and may be had of Messrs. Palmer, Nettleship, and Eland, solicitor*, i Tn, aig*ir yaru, FX, of Messrs. Lamb, Brooks, and challis, solicitors Basingstoke . of Messrs. Johnson and Weather alls, solicitors kings-bench- walk. Temple, E.C.;at the Railway Hotel, o^l site the Balham station; the White Lion. Streatham the Greyhound, Croydon; the Wheatsheaf. Tooting; the Swan Stock wel;of Fuller and Withall, architects and surveyors V 0 n larl:ainent-street. Westminster: at the Mart: and of the am-' tioneer, Francis Fuller. 10, CornhiU, E.C. Dulwich-common, Surrey.

["rack rent" seems to mean the full annual market rent — as opposed to the lower rent currently prevailing? i.e. and therefore attractive to capitalists?]

___

TO FOLLOW UP?

I wonder what the case and counter-case was all about?

Cause number: 1861 K2. Short title: Kemp v Nunn. Documents: Bill only. Plaintiffs: . . . 

Reference: C 16/31/K2

Cause number: 1861 K2.

Short title: Kemp v Nunn.

Plaintiffs: John Young Kemp, John Simpson and John Edward Bovill.

Defendants: Henry William Nunn, William Henry Nunn, Selena Bovill spinster, Benjamin Stevens Bovill and Emily Rose Bovill his wife, Edward I'anson, William Bovill, John Robert Bell, Maria Elizabeth Clarke widow, Robert John Clarke, Stephenson Clarke, Harvey William Clarke, James Strachan Clarke, Arthur Clarke, Maria Jane Clarke spinster, Edward Dawn, Rose Ann Dawn his wife, George Sewell, Constantine Post Forrester, Solodovinkoff Matveieff and Mary Emily Matveieff his wife, George Goss Frederick Alexander Matveieff, Revd Thomas Harvey, Emily Jane Harvey his wife, Thomas Harvey the younger Heathfield Smith, Henry Gordon Harvey, Spencer Philip Harvey and Emily Clare Harvey spinster.

Amendments: Amended by order 1898. Plaintiffs: Mervyn Henry Nunn, Charles Fryer and Ethel Mary Fryer and Alice I sabel Nunns.

Provincial solicitor employed in Hampshire.

[BNA: discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C7873055

Wandsworth Common Cuttings Database