The Express.
London, England, 1861-01-21 00:00:00

THE All LIMED sxcitoAcirmsrfr UPON

-PIT If Jo -ill -I IITS :if Triiiiii OA fa.

The alleged encroachment upon the right of the
public is limmage's-walk, Highgate, is still agitating the
northeru distracts of the metropolis, and the vestry of St.
Pancras met again last week to consider the revolt of the
highways and works committee,with the surveyors estimate
for putting Bnanage'swalk, or Love-lane, in proper repair,
and also to consider the memorials for and against the clos•
iug of that walk. Mr. Churchwarden CART/Ili occupied the
chair.

There stated that Mr. Scott, the chief surveyor, esti-
mated the cost of putting the walk in a proper state of
repair, with drainage, &c., to be 12111., and the committee
recommended that it be referred hick to them to carry out.
Mr. lionmitons Ttui'eo moved the adoption of the
report, and said the committee were firmly convinced,
the estimate was very high, that the parish would
be d'" • 'din incurring such expense, rather than to permit
this tight of way to be lost to the public.
The motion having been seconded, sod the various memo-
rials which bad been presented for and against the closing
referred to,
Major WILKINISoN moved as an amendment, "That the
whole question as to the steps nesemary to be taken as re-
gards Bromage's-walk, together with the several memorials
and the notice requiring that a special meeting of vestry
should he convened to consider the desire expressed in the
notice that the walk should be stopped up, be referred to a
special committee, consisting of the chairmen of the various
atandiqg committees :old persons to be now nominated."
He considered the subjects very important one, and thought
It might to have thorough investigation before coming to •
concluaion. The feeling was very stmog in Highp.te in &-
voted dosing fidirwalk, chiefly on the ground of tea present
disgraceful condition, and the siTO6l of vice and immorality
practised there. Most of the gentry, and a large number of
the county magistrates, had signed memorials requesting the
vestry to close the path.
Mr. ELDRIDGE, for the purpose of argument, seconded the
amendment.

Mr. Roes could not but look with some suspicion on
thole who were anxious to close up this path mart the
public. Why should all this influence be brought to bear
upon that Imerd if there was not something behind which
it was not wanted the public to see • (Hear, hear.) He
dal not for one moment believe that Major Wilkinson wan ,
Limeelf personally acquainted with the immoralities and
vice said to be practised in Love-lane, because he did nut
suppose he ever ventured there at night—(laughter)—but '
he (Mr. Roes) thought that the gallant major bad beep im-
posed upon by individuals who wished to benefit themselves
at the expense of the public. (Hear, hear.) Diverting a
thoroughfare like Love-lane might be of immense value to
the adjoining land, and the plea of vice and immorality had
been trumped up to attain this object. He (Mr. Ross) had
been up this lane—not at night--a good many times, sad
he had never seen anything there to shock his modesty.
(Laughter.) If the plea of vice and immorality were to be
held as an argument, it would equally apply to the Re.
geet's•park and other places after nightfall. Would any
or vesture, however, to close up the Regent's-park upon
such a plea. (Hear. hear.) The influence of forty-four ma-
literates was brought to bear upon them to close this right
of way, but the bulk of the people of Highgate wersopposed
to Ariang. up the walk.
W Major ILIIIIMON said the number of s4mitures to the
memorials in favour of closing were 133, and 42 against it.
Mr. Blau-11 the promoters of thin closing movement
were to call a public meeting of the inhabitants, they would
find the votes ten to one against them. In concluaion, be
hoped that the vestry would be careful how they suffered
any eseroachment whatever upon public rights.
Hr. J. It. CoLune said if then was one thing more than
earlier which couvinced him that even in Highgate the
attempt to close this right of way was unpopular, it was the
fact that the gentry of the district could only muster some
110 name in favor of closing, out of a population of some
5,000. When they also knew that, in a place situated r
Highgate was, the bulk of the inhabitants were more
or less under the influence of the gentry, it was a marvel-
lous thing that they mild only muster the dumdum of
130 perms. It had been stated that the walk must be
lighted; if it was nemerry, that had better be dose rather
than chase the walk.

kir. FARR= ;mid the ground upon which this path was
sought to be closed was a myth. (Hear, bear.) All sort*
of errs were described as resulting from keeping this path-
way open, and yet no one had ever seen the evils them-
selves, and the police denied the imputation. No evidence
whatever had been adduced to justify that board in consent-
tog $o this path.
warm/ion said all he required by his amendment
was'a full inquiry.
Op thiapsituas on being put the amendment was negatived
by
• 4.t4 ta 3.
Mr. JAM -TATt.ea than moved asother anceadment.
namely, " That prior to the adoption of the ph in
the report relative to the drainage and repair of Bremner
walk, the chief surveyor be directed to prepare a specifica-
tion of the intended works, and that the solicitor advise the
vestry as to their liability to light the said walk."
Mr. fistrrn o.ecooded the amendment.

Yr. SILAS TAYLOR Mid there was no necessity for the
motion, because it was a role that for every contract over
1001. tenders must be advertised for.

After some discussion upon this subject, the second
esnewaseat was carried by slurp majority.