The Sun.
London, England, 1864-05-27 00:00:00

THE THAMES CONSERVANCY BILL:

Deputy JONES brought up a report from the Law, Par-
liamentary, and City Courts Bill upon the subject of the
Thames Conservancy Bill at present before Parliament, and
also the draft of a petition against it. The hon. deputy, in
moving that the report be agreed to, expressed his opinion
that this bill contained provisions which most materially
affected the rights and privileges of the Corporation, and
that there was nothing in the report of the committee of tho
House of Commons that in any way justified such a radical
measure. (Hear, hear.)

Deputy ELLIOTT said he thought the Court ought to
pause before they decided upon going to Parliament to op-
pose this measure. It was true that some additional conser-
vators were to be appointed, and that they were to be paid
£1,500 a year salary, but the Corporation of London would
still form one-third of the whole body, which he could nct
help expressing his opinion was a fair share. He was afraid
that if the Corporation was continually going before Parlia-
ntent they would obtain the character of being a very med-
dling body, who were thinking of nothing else but looking
after what they considered their own rights and privileges.
Alderman SOLOMONS complained of such a measure
having been introduced, and said he could come to no other
conclusion respecting it than that the privileges of the Cor-
poration in their capacity of conservators of the river would
be very materially abridged, and that additional powers
would be given to the Government, and that in fact it would
be a complete departmental job, (Hear.) He maintained
the, the Corporation of London had faithfully performed its
duty in reference to the erection of piers in the river, and
rendering that important highway as accessible as possible.
(Hear, hear,) The proposed bill not only affected the rights
of the Corporation, but would also entirely confiscate and
destroy the ancient privileges of the Watermen'e Company,
and a great many of his constituents were deeply interested
in that portion of the question. At present none but com-
petent persons were entitled to navigate craft upon the river,
or without a license from the Watermen's Company ; but if
this bill became law these licenses would be altogether
abolished, and any person, whether competent or not, might
take the charge of a beat or other craft, and the safety of
the public, as it appeared to him, would be seriously endan,
gered.
flagrant act of injustice had been committed by 3'
afteranthe solemn
Mr. 11. L. TAYLOR said it appeared to him that no more
went than the bringing in of this measure
ew
years
ago,
compact made with the Corporation only
esarf,
bpurotpwosheidchal
ppose the bill by
and he thought the Corporationßoeungr, most obnjeeacrti)onsTbhlee,
wteraastinoonws s.evrierteir,eilnyhiigsnoopriendth'o.:i
hear.)
every means in their power.
be aware of the fact that the present
the proposed measure. (H ear.)
Deputy FRY said he thoughtitrightbtohdayt tohfe Court should
were unanimously opposed tof
from Deputy JONES the petition
Afterrrreae
wax read from the secretary to the Thames Angling
A letter was
thanking the Court for its liberal
Society,
fde wt
07-ords in reply
Preservation
donadon of one hundred guineas in aid of the o'ojects of
the society.
The letter was ordered to be entered upon the minutes of
the Court.

PETITIONS.
Several applications for pecuniary assistance from different
charitable institutions were referred to the Coal, Corn, and
Finance Committee, aril the Court shortly afterwards
adjourned.