The Sun.
London, England, 1863-02-12 00:00:00

TRAFFIC IN THE CITY.

Lord CHELMSFORD moved the first reading of a bill
giving to the Lord Mayor additional powers with respect
to regulating the traffic in the City of London.
The bill was read a first time.
HARBOURS OF REFUGE.

Lord RAVEN S W ORTH called the attention of Govern-
ment to the report of the royal commission appointed to con-
sider the question of the harbours of refuge, and asked if
any steps were in progress to carry out the recommenda-
tions of the commission which are contained in that re-
port. In doing so he said the subject was regarded with
the greatest interest by the shipping and commercial com-
munity. The report of the commission was of the utmost
importance, considering that on the average of six years the
amount of property lost amounted to no less than
£1,500,000, whilst the loss of human life for the same period
could not be less than 1,545, and the number of vessels
wrecked at least 800. It was the opinion of some
that even if the harbours were made they would not an-
swer the purpose for which they were intended ; but he
should like to know from the noble duke opposite
whether he participated in that opinion, as also whether
the Government regarded the matter in the same light.
It was also said that the shipowners regarded the matter
with dislike, because it was supposed that these harbours
of refuge would afford the seamen opportunities of loiter-
ing and idling their time away, instead of proceeding
on the voyage. It was easy to discuss the question
in cold blood, whilst it was not so easy for a crew to take it
so if caught in a storm off a dangerous coast, where
there was not a single port for them to fly to for safety. He
did not know a case more in point than the loss of the
unfortunate vessel the Lifeguard. A harbour of refuge
might have been the means of preventing such terrible
disasters. A great deal might be said for the shipowners,
inasmuch as they (the legislature) had some years back de-
prived them of protection, and exposed them on their own
shores to competition of fereigners who had the materials
for building much cheaper. It was not to be wondered
at that, to meet such keen competition, ships not quite sea-
worthy were despatched on their voyages, and when a storm
overtook them the value of a harbour into which they could
run for safety would be inestimable. The Lifeboat Institu-
tion had been the means of immense benefit, and he could
not forbear mentioning Miss Burdett Coutts' name for the
manner in which she had supported that laudable institu-
tion. The noble lord then referred to resolutions carried
in the Government of 1859, which was to the effect that the
recommendations of the commission ought to be carried out,
and remarked that notwithsianding that strong expression
of opinion nothing had been done. Now, however, there
was a surplus in the exchequer, and he sincerely hoped that
something would be done to affect so great a benefit, and
thus give some protection to the shipping of the country,
and in doing so it might be possible to employ many per-
sons now suffering great distress in Lancashire in the con-
struction of these works.

The Duke of SOMERSET said the subject was sur-
rounded with the greatest difficulty, but he was most
anxious that all the security possible should be given to the
shipping interests. There were, however, other questions
besides those of humanity. It was true that the Royal
Commissioners recommended the erection of harbours, but
there was another recommendation that the expenses should
be borne, viz., one-fourth by the Government and three-
fourths by passing tolls. Subsequently the shipowners ob-
jected to passing tolls, while the local ports, which were to
be made into harbours, objected to being made liable for
some part of the expense. In fact everybody wanted
the money to be spent, but did not like to con-
tribute anything. Another question also to be considered
was, in the event of these harbours being made, whether it
would not be necessary to have them supplied with means
of defence, and to do that a great outlay would become ne-
cessary. By comparing the different parts of the coast on
which shipwecks took place, it would be found that it was not
at those particular places named for harbours of refuge that
the greatest loss of life occurred. The works at Dover,
Portland, and Holyhead were fast progressing towards
completion, and when they were thorougly completed he
thought they would afford great facilities for thearotection
of life and property.
(LEFT SPEAKING.)

HOUSE OF COMMONS—This Evening.
The SPEAKER took the chair at four o'clock.
STANDING ORDERS.

On the motion of Col. W. PATTEN, the following were
nominated the select committee on standing orders ; —Col.
Wilson Patten, Mr, Walpole, Mr. Henley, Mr. Wrightson,
Mr. Herbert, Mr. Bramston, Mr. Bonham-Carter, Mr.
Lefroy, Mr. Dunlop, Mr. Pullen, and Mr. E. Egerton.