The Express.
London, England, 1866-01-25 00:00:00

[f3TAKPND, ld. ADDITIONAL]

COMMONS AND OPEN SPACES.

A public meeting wee held yesterday in the , •
tian.hall, Mansion-house, under the presideug of the Right I
Hoe. the Lord Mayor In promote in the ensuing series the ' 1
introduction of a meMiare into parliament for ptea • the
commons and open ewes round the metropo is for the use
of the public. There was a numerous and influential
attendance, including the following members of parliament:
—Sir F. and Mr. C. Buxton, Mr. Leiser*, Colonel Shen°
Adair, Mr. Locke, Alderman P. H. Lawrence, Professor Few.
sett, and Masers. Leslie Stephen, Joseph Toynbee, FALB.,
Hussey, Richardson, Derma, Barrel!. J. 0. Parkinson, and
Doulton. There were also present several members of the
Board of Works, and a number of gentlemen connected by
property or resident's with the metropolitan commons.
The LORD ]BATOR, in briefly opening the proceedings,
dwelt upon the importance of having for a community of
upwards of three million' of people like that of London as
touch fresh air and open space in their immediate vicinity
as possible. He Labored that parliament alone coald secure
these advantages for the public ; and all he should any
was, that he should not prefer the plan proposed by the
Metropolitan Board of Works, which would hand
over the whole of the metropolitan commons to
the management of a body of individuals. He should
prefer a government which should be directly resposighie
to parliament. The object for which the amities had been
convened wee mast important, and had received the Nano
tion of the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Bishop of
Lmedsill pima Stanley, and several other persons of axial

Mr. Loess, hi :Wag to move the first resole*"
weld assure the misdaig It 'dreaded ham swede pienosre
to see such an iolleential and numerous assemblage. It
was hardly necessary for him to diocese the importance
of their object, for every ale must admit that the tune had
come for preserving for all future time the sommoss of
the metropolis to the public. (Hem, hear.) He would
first call their attention to a resolution which was proposed
in the House of Commons in 1864, by Mr. Doulton. He
(Mr. Locke) seconded the motion, which was carried by a
urge majority. The oily objection made was taken by
Mr. Cowper, who said that the government would not un-
derteke the expense. Last year a select committee was
appointed when Mr. Doulton was unable from indisposition
to attend, and be (Mr. Locke) took his place, and it was
therefore, be belii.ved, he now found himself moving the
first resolution. Important witnesses—Mr. W. Cooke, Sir
J. Thwaites, sod others—were examined, end the committee
agreed to • report. He trusted that a bill founded oil that
report would be brought in and carried in the ensuing
parliament. One important question they would have to
consider would be the rights of the lords of the manors
and commoners. It wee • popular notion that the rights or
'ordeal manors were paramount over the game of the com-
mon, sad that he could enclose soy part of it at his pleasure.
That was • great mistake, as he had really so right
except over the game of the worst portions, sad he could
not enclose an inch of ground without the consent of the
commoners. Now, with respect to the metropolitan am-
assers it was very difficult to find oat who they were,
sad what were their rights, and the result was that the
lords of the manors were in a " fix," and could not, except
by violations of the law—which, however, he was sorry to
say, were daily taking place—take the commons from the
public. The General Enclosure Act provided that no common
within a certain diatomes of the metropolis or other great
town could be enclosed without an especial act of paella.
ment, and therefore when lords of manors obtained the
privilege it was as • boon and sot a right. The rights of the
public over those commons were, in fact, intact. Mr. Deal-
ton's plan was to purchase the rights of lords of manors and
commoner around the metropolis, and for the Board of
Works to hold them for the beastlier the public. Having
read some extracts from the report of the committee, Mr.
Locke proceeded to explore that the Beard of Works pro-
posed that they should bold the land, with power to dispose
of portions of it for building purposes, and to maintain the
rut- That eau the proposition of the Board of
Works, and that was what he (Mr. Locke) con-
sidered to be most objectionable. (Hear, hese.) The
committee thought no portion of the commove should
be bold, and that was the objection which had defeated
Lord Spacer's scheme. (Hear, bear.) This was a question
for the consideration of the public. It the matter were
banded over to the Board of Works, the beet parte of the
°ammo's would be sold, and in addition they would have
the coal tax and the property tax. The latter had been
hinted at by Sir J. Thwsitse, but be (Mr. Locke) could sot
clearly understand what he meant. The plan of the coot.
mines was that a bill should be brought into parliament,
providing that there should be no enclosure within 15
miles of the metropolis. Au enclosure bill was at present
brought every worm into parliament, but the enclosures
were all put into • schedule, and thus the/slipped through,
to the injury of the public. The way in which the case
stood at present was this : the Board of Works offered to
undertake the management of the mmwoci„ and OQ did the
Enclosure Commissional, The latter, it was true, were
principally employed in enclosing commons, but if they were
prohibited doing so within 15 miles of London, they might
be very efficient in protecting them. He begged to move,
"That the preservation of the commons and open spaces in
the neighbourhood of the metropolis h absolutely essential
to the health and recreation of the public."
Mr. Alderman LLWRINCE, M.P., in seconding the resolu-
tion, begged to eater his protest against open apnoea, which
might be almost looked upon as the lungs of three millions
of people, being enclosed and wholly taken away from the
public. After the observations of Mr. Locks it would not
be neeessary for him to go into the legal question ; he
would merely reiterate his opinion that it was essential to
the health of the people of London that the neighbouring
commons and open space should be preserved, and as with
=pat to Epping and Hainanit Forests a good deal had
been said of the rights of the crown, be trusted that the
rights of the people in those much-ftequeoted pleas of
resort would not be lost sight of. (Hear, hear.) lie repu-
diated the doctrine that no rights were to be discussed but
those of the crown, the lords of manors, and the com-
moner. The people had their rights, and it was the duty
of the legislature to protect their rights. (Cheers.) He
thought that the public were much indebted to the Lord
Mayor for having called the preseet meeting. (Hear.)
Mr. Alderman Roes supported the resolution, and repu-
diated the notion that lords of manors were to be treated
as if they were freeholders. (Hear, hear.) They had
merely the rights to cut turf, to grime cattle, and to dig
gravel ; and in one case, where the lord of the manor bad
sold one-third of the land, his solicitor declared that he had
not sufficient power to protect the gravel. With respect to
the Board of Works, he objected to banding the
cornmeal' over to that body, seeing that they claimed a power
to sell a portion of the land. (Hear, hear.) At Wimble-
don the lord of the manor bad endeavoured to get legisla-
tive permission to sell 300 acres, which were worth &thou-
sand pounds an acre ; and yet so weak was his title that,
having attempted an enclosure, • neighbour bed pulled
down the paling, and his lordship's solicitor did not veerre
to recommend an action. (Hear, hear.) Here would have
been • sum of 300,0001., and from it they might guess what
a fund the Board of Works would command if they
obtained power to sell portions of land in every common
within 15 miles of the metropolis. What the public wanted
was the direct control of parliament. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. Ls BRETON defended the scheme of the Board of
Works• and said they only proposed selling eo much of the
land as would clear expenses.
Mr. Scorn (City Chamberlain) wished to all attention
to a few statistics. The metropolitan district extended 16
mike from Chariogoross, and at the present retool increase
would in 50 years have • population of 8,532,000 soul&
In 1801 the population of London, if all standing at mice
in the area, would stand 21 yards apart, in 1851 the dis-
tance was reduced to 14 yards ' • in 1866 they had an inter-
vening apace of Dille yards ; and in 50 years more they
would stand as elves as they were rocked in that room.
(Cheers and laughter.) They would have, is fact, just
standing room, no more. This might be looked upon as
absurd, but it was correct, and it showed how necessary it
was for the legislature to step in and protest our remaining
open groom
The resolution was put and carried unanimondy.
Mr. G. S. Ls Fscas, M.P., moved the next resolution :
" That in the opinion of this mestiog it is incumbent on
the legislature to deal with the question of commons and
open spaces, and this meeting pledges Welt to support the
Commons Preservation Society in its efforts to press the
subject on the attention of parliament." He believed that
every one wished to preserve the commons to the public.
50,000 persons in the season enjoyed Blackheath, Hamp-
stead, and Clapham, and 200,000 Epping and Haioault ;
they bad done so for centuries, and yet they were told
that the only rights so be oasiderol were those of the lords
of manors and commons ; the people could claim nothing
from their long usor. (Hear, bear.) The village green was
protected, but the metropolitan common was not, sad
every we was taken of the rights of sheep and cattle,
whilst those of the people of London were neglected.
(Hear, hear.) The position of the public, however, was
not hopeless, foe so imperfect were the titles of lode.
viduals, that it was now very difficult to enclose any por-
tion of a common without the consent of parliament,
sod therefore existing rights were of very little money
value. What the public had now to fear wee
what was very well known as the "sweatiog "or commons.
the " rolling fence," and other devices of encroachment
(Hear. hear.) There was also the gradual deterioration of
the soil by the digging of gravel, ko. The railway companies
were cutting our oostromes in all direction, Harem was
threatened with four railways.
cubeaimbecloo with two.
With respect to the proposition Board of Works, he
thought it would be in some danger of tallies from the way
large sum that would be necessary to boy up existing rights.
The Richmond Railway had purchased twelve area, for
which they bad gives 4001. as acre, and if that rate were to
hold good all through. the plan of the Board of Works
might require three or four miasma. (Hear. bear.) He
objected to ampule:ay proceedings. but thought that •
good deal might be des. moral inflates. Me. Ahab.
who yea lord cif the maim over 1,200 wee of the
most beautiful memo. land in the vtniatty
of London bad offered to surrender all his interest.
(Chars.) ihrele was seder the control of the Dees sad

[TWOPENC:

Chapter of Bt. Paul's, who he believed would also surrender
far the benefit of the public. If they could also get the
consist of the Ecclesiastical Oommimioners Bosse might
be secured to the publio for ever. (Hear, hear.) In ocricht.
lon, Mr. Wane urged the meeting to support the Com-
mons Preservation committee.
Mr. Husain, M.P., seconded the resolutios. The only
side of the question left for him to discuss was the senti-
mental side, but oa that there was a good deal to be said.
(Hear, bear.) He thought that it was desirable that the
people of this country should be fond of their country, and
a well-known writer bad pointed out that people were more
fond of their country in proportion as it was open to their
enjoyment. The people of England were entitled to every
inch of their inheritance, and it should sot be Sakai away
from them on say pretext whatever. (Cheers.) No matter
what might be the present state of the law, the people sad
parliament of England bad power to alter it, and he be-
hawed that is this crass it was their bounden duty to do
so. (Rear, bear.)
Mr. Guinean praised the conduce of the lord of the manor
of Clapham. Thanks to him and the residents, not aa inch
of the common had been taken for several years.
Mr. TATLOI complained energetically of the rapid
spoliation of Barnes-common. Thu railways attacked it
last =don, and it escaped ; but they would do so basin than
year. There was a phrase, " only the outlying portions."
but that meant the thin sod of the wedge, end in the end
the whole common would be dotted with villa'. He did
Dope that some =meth measures would be adopted,
Mr. 0. Herron, M.P., would at that late hour offer only a
very few voids. Interested as he was in the Tower Ham-
lets and its population of 30E1,000, and living as he had done
seer Beekr. Pea" he had bees direply impressed with the
ardent met with which the working people of East Leaden
enjoyed their holidays at that favourite place of resort. He
deeply regretted to learn that Earl Spencer had destroyed
one of the most beautiful spots on Wimbledon-o=mo' by
turning it into a briokfield. This showed the urgent noose-
sity there existed for action, and he believed they could sot
do better than support the views of the meeting.
Mr. CAIPALLIL supported the plan giving over the com-
mons to the Board of Works. dome resource for funds
would be absolutely necemary, u draining alone would cost
from el. to 71. an acre.

Mr./Gii;o7iplained of the rapidity with which Lord
Cowley was enclosing Wszistand, and added that Lord
Spencer was absolutely destroying Wandsworth. The
enclosures that were going on were, in fact, nothing better
than lawless violence, sod his only hope was that the
working peopie, when they obtained their rights, would
never alines than as lords of the manor now did theirs.
(Hear. hew.)
The resolution was put, and carried unanimously.
Sir W. Fuses moved. "That autscriptions in further-
ance of the .objeets of the society be invited from those
present, and tbst a list of subscribers be opened at the
Massion•house." He pointed out howivalusble the com.
moss would be as exercise grounds for the volunteers.
Alderman )318LiT seconded the resolution, which was
Sir
unanimously.
Sir Foie= Bcirox, M.P., moved, "That petitions be
ted to both Houses of Parliament, urging immediate
islation on the subject of the open spaces. He, as a
resident at Epping, bore testimony to the value of the forest
as a phi°, of recreation for the working classes.
Mr. Tomes .worded the resolution. London lost 15,000
of its population every year from disease of the organs of
respiration, sad these diseases were mainly caused by the
insufficient supply of fresh and pure vital air for the bah&
bitsots.
This resolution having been carried with the others
unanimously, the proceedings terminated with a warm vote
of thanks to the Lord Mayor.

COLLIERY ACCIDENT NEAR WIGAN.

THIRTY LIVES LOST.

A terrible colliery accident took place on Tuesday
afternoon in the Wigan coalfield. The spot was Mum.
Mower and Evans's Highbrook Colliery, situated about a
mile from the high road leading from Wigan to Ashton In
Maakerfield, and about three miles from the boundary of
the borough. About thirty men and boys were killed by
an upbeat of fire damp. The colliery in question cou-
sins of two shat u, known as No. 1 and No. 2, both
sunk to the Orwell Five Feet Beam, which lases lite
at • depth of 290 yards from the surface. Below
this about 60 yards lies the Orrell Four Feet ; but in this
seam, just at the lower side of shaft No. 2, occurs a fault,
which throws the coal upwards for a considerable distance,
at as incline of nearly one in six. Nearly 60 yards from
the bottom of the shafts, and therefore about 230 yards
trust ildo NEW% rams a Ulla Nast of eoal eat worth Obi
trouble of getting, but valuable in this Instance, as it has
enabled the management° tunnel the more easily until the
seconding Four Feet Mine has been struck. By this mouth-
ing into the No. 2 shaft the mine has been worked for a
couple of years,veatilation being provided for by • COMM'
libation opened through the small seam already mentioned,
with the up-cast shaft No. LAs the workings have ex-
lorded, the number of mace employed here has been gradu-
ally increased, and on Tuesday moiling, somewhere about
50 colliers, drawers, and day labourers descended to follow
their employment. They were lowered into the shaft by
the engineer between five sod an o'clock, and as the fireman,
, William Marsh, who had been in the pit from four o'clock.
reported that the pit was perfectly free from gad—in fact,
that it was " as claw as • bell"—the men proceeded to their
work without fear of danger, three of the party, • collier
and his two sous, descending for the first time. All, as was
customary, had safety lamps, and these it was the duty of
the fireman to examine. All went well till noon,
at which hour the fireman, who had not left
the pit during the morning, proceeded to the
pit eye to get something to eat. His repast
over, he started to return to the further workings, but he
had not moved more than • few yards away when there
were indications of a terrible exploeioo, a blast of wind
coming along the road with such strength as to lift the
hooker on at the mouthing off his feet, to whirl his cap into
the shift, together with a cloud of dust, which was carried
some distance upwards. The underlooker, Beery Ascroft,
was down the other pit at the time, io the five feet seam,
and information of the explosion being promptly conveyed
to him be joined Marsh io a few minutes, and an anew.
whoa of the workings was at ones made. They first
explored a slant to the right of the main jig brow,
but it was soon evident that the gas had not fired here as
the men, about • dozen in number, who had been working
in this district were met running towards the mouthing.
They then proceeded along a brow, rooting straight from
the pit eye, lista they reached& tunnel which rune through
a number of faults until the seam is struck again, and In
this tunnel three lads were found, two almost io the last
stage of suffocation. Their names were Thomas Morris, a
boy who attends to the waggons at the bottom of the
jig how, John Ashcroft, • pony driver, and Thomas
iffeaktoson, sod though they had sustained some few
bruises, they quickly recovered on being conveyed into the
fresh ear. It was soon placed beyond doubt that all who
were alive in the pit bad now been recovered, for a short
distance farther in the tunnel it was found that an arch
ever the weirs air course, and forming part of the floor of
{Miaow!, had been blown down by ttie explosioot and the
ventilation of the mine was therefore completely impeded.
, Before any further steps could be taken to examine
I the remainder of the workings this arch had to
be repaired; and ea by this time there was
'no lack of assistance, the work progressed rapidly,
bet still it was not till a couple of home after the
explosion that the exploring party could advance. Between
two and three o'clock- the first dead body wee found, a few
yards from the top of
_the jig brow, which is formed by the
tunnel we have already mentioned as running through the
fauna. At the top of the brow three or four more wen
lying, probably drawers, who had brought full tube of coal
to the spot ; but even this could not be stated with cer-
tainty, as the scorched and blackened corpses were not to
be recognised in the dim light of the mine. Beyond this lay
the working places, and the discovery of the remainder of the
bodies now progressed slowly but steadily as the plebs
could be ventilated. Al each body was found it was for.
warded to the pit eye, where shortly after 10 o'clock, when
the whole of the mine had been examined, lay • grim row el
30 corpses, some calmly reposing as if they h.d died withoith
a struggle, and others so hideously disfigured sato be almost
usrecognitable. Oa the pit bank had been withered the
heartrending emus which always accompany a catastrophe
of this dawn ptioo. By 11 o'clock all the bodies bad bees draws
up to bank, but the anxious watchers wbo crowded woad
the fires which lied bees lighted, and who hoped for • look
at their last trioxide and relatives, were disappointed, as.
uadw, the sup erinteadenoi of the police, id eh. m ashen
force was is attendance, the carpets were placed in a tribe
of coal waggons sod mot down by rail to the fitting seep,
at the coo tral portion of the works, where they were bad
out and preparations made for their identification the fol-
lowing morels& The canes of the explosion is at present
enveloped in perfect mystery, and it is scarcely expected
that the coroner's bequest will throw any stews light
epos it.

TEE RZLIOION 07 AMERICAN PRESIDENTS.—Of
the deceased Presidents of the Uoited States, Washington,
Mediae., Monroe, Herrin°, Tyler, end Taylor were Episco-
palism ; Jefferson, John Adam., sad Jahn QuiDey Admen
were Unitarisee ; Jackson, Polk, sad Lea43oin were
terlans ; Van Boren was of the Dutch Reformed Zetri:
The survielog Preiddeste ere Filmore, • MAl:arise ; rime.
• 'Malawian Ocogrinatiosalist ; Brichanas, as Spine".
pales the preessit chid ntesistrate, Johnson, who M
a Presbyterian.