The Express.
London, England, 1860-07-20 00:00:00

THE ENCROACHMENTS IN KENSINGTON

GARDENS.

Yesterday a numerous deputation, headed by
Lord Enfield, M.P., Sir John Shelley, ILP., and Mr. Edwin
James, M.P., trim the vicinity of Kensington and Bays-
water, waited upon the Right Hon. W. Cowper, M.P.
Chid Commissioner of Public Works, to present a ..nemorial
signd by /.,600 inhabitants of the districts mentioned,
praying mot, the new horse road and carriage drive through
Kensingtou-pidens may be immediately abolished, and the
gardens restored to their original date. The deputation
oessishodut the geourder el Loden (Mr. Russell Gurney),
Xrii• halgobile• M J. C. Wesley, AJLA., Ile
key. G. Reynell, Mr. Wyndham Payne, Mr. W. R. A.
Boyle Rev. R. W. &ape, Mr. Henry Huralem, the Rev. R.
Huckmaater, the Rev. J. Gaitakell, Mr. R. Green, vestry
clerk of Kensington and about forty other gentlemen,
members of the Kensiligton Association.
Lord Esruti,u, in introducing the deputation, stated that
the experience which the inhabitants of Kensington had,
when in consequence of the Great Exhibition of 18M a
reed was made temporarily through Kenaington.ganlens, had
convinced them of the danger which would result to the
lives sod limbo of pedestrians, and more especially children,
were this new read in connexion with the ride at Rotten-
row permitted to be continued. He hnil ridden over the
ground on the previous day fur the purpose of forming his
own judgment, and he was firmly consumed chat it wee not
only au infringement on the rights of the public, who had
fur many years hest the opportunity of enjoying Kensington-
garden* as a place of recitation, but absolutely dangerous.
He to remind the right lion. gentleman that these
encrbuescgrinents upon the comforts of the people ought not
to be made recklessly, and that if they were there would
in all probability be great public demonstrations end excite-
ment on the matter. Indeed he could assure the Hon. Chief

Commissioner that be believed be had but little support en
either house of parliament upon the point, and therefore
lie hoped to see the read ahaaloned, and Kensington-
garileus at once reclaimed.
Mr. Reseett Weimer then mad the memorial, and mkt
it hail been signed with the utmost alacrity by 1,5 W per-
sons of all reeks in two days, and if they had only made
the matter snore public, the signatures would have been
multiplied tenfold. Nut only were the beautiful flower
beds destroyed, but the greatest danger from the horse
riding would result to nuns and children.
Sir JOHN SHLLLZT, M.P.,maid his table wee daily covered
with letters from his constituents and other, begging him
to use what influence he possessed to prevent this act of
vandalism for the mere advantage of the aristocracy being
carried out. He warmed the light Lou. 603.th:titan that if
he penostal they would have to make au appeal to her
Majesty, as, unless that was done, au impression would get
aimed that her Majesty sanctioned the proceedings, and it
might lead to some serious public disturbances on the part
of the working classesand mess of the people, who felt that
, they were being deprived of their rights.
Mr. EDWIN JANIS, M.P., agreed with Sir J. Shelley that
a penistottee might lead to • popular eacitenient, so deep
wee the interest felt in the question. His own belief was
that her Majesty would not tolerate this proceeding.
Mr. Moyle Mr. Antrobus, Mr. Bunting, and other gen-
tlemen, whir:said the hon. commissioner, and contended that
whilst the ranger could restrict these eucroachmeuts in
Hyde-park, the only appeal was to the crown in places like
liensingtonviudens.
The Hon. W. Cowris combatted the argument that there
was auy distinction with respect to his own authority in
Kensington-gardens and in Hyde-park. He nest say that
the way in which the name of her Majesty had been intro.
diced by his boa. friend, S ' irJ.Shelley Mr. James, was,
be considered,, mist uncoustitutional and entailed for. It
was on the minister, who advised • particular course to be
taken, that the remonsibility rested, and in reference te the
position lie held he wee fully prepared to take upon himself
that responsibility. He believed that in carrying out this
ride lie was nut only paying deferent* to the feelings of the
riding puhlic, but of the walking public ale i. (No. no.) As
• plow of this he appealed to the hundreds of pedestrians
daily who delighted to sit or halt and see the equestrians in
Retten-row. The three points urged against the' new
ride were its danger, that it destroyed the quiet of Kamillg.
ton-ganleum, and also injured the beauty of the gardens. He
could not see that either of these points was sustained. He
must confess he was surprised at the number of the memo-
rialists; from what he had heard be considered people were
generally mu favour of it. (No, no.)
In answer to Lon] ENHCLD,
The Hon. Mr. Cowmen admitted that no representations
hail been male to him either public or private that eques-
trians required further accommodation for riding than Rot-
ten-row, but be had male the road on thepriuciple of giving
pleasure toall chases. lie further said if a good ma. were
male out he bail no objection to make such alterations as
would obviate any supposed inconvenience or danger to the
The deputation then withdrew.

TENTItioNIAL TO Sin MORTON PITO, BAIT., M.P.
—On Wednesday last a chins dessert service, together with
an elaborately-worked plateau, epergne, candelabrum, and
other plate, was presented to Sir Morton Peto, at the
Royal lintel, Lowestoft. About 130 gentlemen amembled
at dinner, under the presidency of the Earl of Stradbroke,
Lord Lieutenant of Suffolk, who stated, in the course
his speech, that the testimonial was the result of • sal-
seription made by about 300 gentlemen of the district,
who were sazious thus to mark their appreciation of the
bon. hex,neeti4ac's In connexion wills hissumeseful
efforts in ' a complete railway system in the
county. The cart of articles presented was about 2,00 W.
THIS DRAMATIC CA3LLZiIa Firm —Busy prepara-
tions ere afoot for the Crystal Palace repetition of the
Woking fite on Pletenlar, in aid of the funds for founding
• Dramatic College. Ail the attraMions, which proved so
eumensful on the fee accesion, will he a,aiu presented,
and several others of an equally popular chars ter will be
stredeeed.