The Sun.
London, England, 1864-02-13 00:00:00

THE METROPOLITAN RAILWAY SCHEME.

A report was brought up from the Streets Committee,
which entered at some length into the proposed railway
schemes. The report recommended that the several propo-
sitions now before parliament, and referred to in the engi-
neer's report, be referred to the committee, with instructions
to reqort from time to time thereon, having regard to the
principles laid down in the committee's report.

Mr. SAMUDA moved the following resolution, in substitu-
tions of the recommendations contained in the committee's
report :—"That it is desirable to construct as few lines as
possible (consistent with the wants of the public) through
thickly-inhabited parts of the metropolis; that all lines con-
structed in the metropolis should be kept independent of the
main trunk lines of railway, and be under separate and in-
dependent boards ; that it is not expedient to allow the ter-
mini of the trunk railways to be pushed;beyond the limits
already sanctioned by Parliament, except the Great Eastern
terminus, which might advantageously be extended to the
neighbourhood of Finsbury-circus." He contended that the
board should sanction as few lines as possible, and to limit
their recommendations to the lines set forth in his resolution.
Mr. NEWTON, in seconding the motion, said he strongly
objected to the report of the committee as binding the board
down to a certain course, which at some future time they
might want to differ from.
Mr. CARPMAEL observed that if we had an outer circle of
railways, not too far distant from the metropolis, every man
might go to the nearest station to his home. Nothing could
be more disadvantageous than a lot of termini within the
metropolis. The inner circle of railways within the metro-
polis was now almost complete. He thought that the board
should be very chary of using its great powers, and instead
of recommending lines, they should become the protectors
of the metropolis.

After a long discussion the amendment was negatived and
the report adopted.

THE PROPOSED REGENT STREET AND BOND-STREET
ARCADE,

A report was submitted from the Streets Committee, which

stated that the committee had considered a communication
from the Office of Woods and Forests, and several memorials,
on the above subject, and had arrived at the following con-
clusion :—" That in the opinion of the committee the erec-
tion of the proposed arcade between Regent •street and Bond-

street, as shown upon the plan produced to the committeo,
would be a public improvement."
Mr, PHILLIPS, in moving the adoption of the report, said
—Taking the whole question into consideration from every
point of view, and looking at the increased communication
the arcade would give, he considered that it would prove to
be a public improvement. There could be no doubt that the
removal of a certain class of buildings, by increasing the
communication, would be an improvement, and confer a
benefit on the neighbourhood.

Mr. D' IFFANGER seconded the motion. He was of opi-
nion that the arcade would be a great public improvement.
With respect to objections which had been urged against it,
he could understand the opposition of the tradesmen, as it
would open other shops ; and in reference to the objection
that it would be frequented by persons of immoral charac-
ter, they all knew what the streets of London were, and
particularly Regent-street. He did not believe that any
improper characters would be admitted, as it would be the
duty of the proprietors to keep them out. He had frequently
been in the Burlington-arcade, and had never seen anything
dreadful there, but he could not say the same of Ratcliff-
high way.
Mr. BENNET supported the arcade.
Mr. DERMER observed that no doubt the arcade would
interfere with certain existing interests, but, on the other
side, it must be looked upon in the light of an immense
public improvement, affording direct communication from
Bond-street to Regent-street.
Mr. BruGoon opposed the scheme, and contended that
the arcade was unnecessary, and got up for the benefit of
a few speculators. He moved en ameudtann, to the effect,
"That the Commissioners of Woods and Forests be in-
formed that the arcade would not be a public improve-
ment."

The amendment having been seconded,
Mr. NEWTON supported the report of the committee, as
he believed that the arcade would he an improvement to
the district, and would give great facilities to those who had
shops in the locality. As they were there in the capacity of
a public board they were expected to ignore their private
interests ; and, in this instance, he thought the arcade
wou'd tend to the convenience of the public.
The repott of the committee, approving of the arcade,
was then carried, with two dissentients, and ordered to be
forwarded to the office of Woods and Forests.

Some other business was disposed of, and the board ad.
journed.

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