The Sun.
London, England, 1865-03-31 00:00:00

Commons and Open Spaces round the
Metropolis.

The committee appointed to inquire into the best means
of preserving for public use the forests, commons, and open
spaces in and around the metropolis, met again yesterday,
Mr. Locke in the chair.

Admiral Sullivan was called and examined. In reply to
questions by the chairman, he said that of all the outlying
districts of the metropolis Wimbledon was lowest in point
of mortality. He attributed that to its high position and the
purity of the air. A great portion of the common proposed
to bo enclosed was in 1860 very wet in many places, but
through improvements effected by the National Rifle Asso-
ciation it was now comparatively dry. A very superficial
system of drainage would be sufficient to drain the common.
The inconvenience which was now felt with regard to the
gipsies and tramps might be easily remedied. Two efficient
keepers would be quite sufficient for the purpose of prevent-
ing any annoyance. Ho could not conceive how Earl Spen-
cer or any other person could justify the enclosure of the
common. The best portion of the common was that which
was proposed to be sold. He did not see the use of a fence.
The only objection to the present state of the common was
Ike deposit of rubbish and manure thereon. If the pro-
posed scheme should be carried out its effect would be to
invest the freehold of the whole of the common, except the
part which was dedicated to the public, in Earl Spencer.
By Mr. Locke King—A fence of any kind would not
only be useless, but objectionable. He believed that the
common could be kept in perfect order for about £2OO
a year, which could easily be raised by a rate of one half-
penny on houses above the value of £3O per annum.
About £3,000 had been subscribed for the purpose of op-
posing the bill, and he had no doubt that sum might be
applied to the drainage of the common.
Mr. J. Murrell, who resided at Wimbledon, was examined
as to the rights of the freeholders. He stated that he did
not think £5,000 would be sufficient for their compensation.
These rights were not inconsistent with the public enjoy-
ment of the common. The inhabitants objected to any en-
closure. An inclosure would be very inconvenient. If
there should be no inclosure, the proposed sale of land
Would be unnecessary. He believed the lord of the manor
could not sell without the consent of the freeholders. He
had no doubt the residents of the neighbourhood would
agree to the insertion of a clause in the bill for the purpose
of levying a compulsory rate for the regulation of the com-
mon. He believed that the public, having no rights, might
be treated as trespassers.
Mr. W. J. Oliver said he had resided at Wimbledon for
the last 25 years, and during that period had been in the
habit of turning cows on the common, in virtue of his free-
hold property. The inhabitants of the village had been in
the habit of turning out their cattle. Generally speaking
the gentlemen did not do so so much as persons having small
holdings in the village. He had never heard of any person
asking permission to turn cattle on the common. When-
ever he wanted gorse or fern he had been in the habit of
cutting it. No objection had been made to his doing so.
He had never heard any person in Wimbledon complain
of the gipsies. A common keeper would be quite sufficient
to prevent any damage being done on the common.
There were at present some very unsightly heaps, but they
had been placed there by permission of Earl Spencer's
common keeper. He should consider any enclosure of the
common objectionable. It could only be of advantage to
those persons who had the right of pasturage. It would
be decidedly objectionable to the public at large. What-
ever sum might be necessary for keeping up the com-
mon might be raised by rating or by subscription, and
there was no necessity for selling any portion of the
property. He did not think any drainage requisite, and
would rather allow things to remain in their present state.
If any drainage was required, a superficial one would be
sufficient. The people in the neighbourhood would do
everything in their power to prevent the erection of a high
fermi. Personally he should have no great objection to
posts and rails, provided there were a sufficient number o.
openings at short distances.

Mr. Williams, a member of the Wimbledon Committee and
the owner of property in that neighbourhood, said that he
had heard the evidence of Earl Spencer and Mr. Foster, the
steward, and it was a great surprise to him. He had never
before heard of any such claim as that which was now set
up. He believed the evidence in such a case could not be
properly sifted by a Parliamentary committee. To make
out such a claim, it would be necessary to produce the Court
rolls, to show the user and to prove a variety of matters,
which could only be done properly in a court of justice.
The statement of Earl Spencer was a mere assertion of his
claims. It was rather for the committee than for himself
to decide whether Earl Spencer had adduced a tittle of
evidence to establish his right. In actual practice the user
of the common during the last 25 years had been this—it
had been used by the inhabitants, and especially by the
poorer classes, for turning out their cows, and sheep, and
horses. Somepersons, the owners of small tenements, turned
out a large number of horses. Of late years a smaller num-
ber of cattle had been turned on to the common ; but that
was partly owing to its use by the National Rifle Associa-

tion. [The witness then referred to the Parliamentary
survey and other authorities for the purpose of showing
the customs of manors, and detailed the proceedings at
various meetings which have been held at Wimbledon rela-

five to the proposed enclosure.]
The committee then adjourned.

We regret to announce the death of Major-
General James Matthie, of her Majesty's Indian
Forces (Bengal Establishment), which event occurred on
the 28th inst., at his residence, Gothic House, Upper
Hamilton-terrace, St. John's-wood. This distinguished
officer served at the siege and capture of Bhurtpore in
1825-26 ; Commanded one of the companies of the Ist Eu-
ropean Bengal Fusiliers (now 101st Foot), selected to be
attached to H.M. 59th Foot, which led the storming at the
left breach. For the services which he rendered on that
occasion he received the India medal. On the breaking
out of hostilities with Burmah General Matthie was selected
by his Excellency the Commander-in-Chief of India to
command the Ist European Bengal Fusiliers in 1852-53,
and received the Burmese medal. The deceased General's
commissions bore date as follows :—Ensign, Oct. 24, 1821;
Lieutenant, Jan. 1, 1824; Captain, Sept. 8, 1835; Major,
Nov. 22, 1843 ; Lieutenant-colonel, March 1, 1850 ; Brevet-
colonel, Nov. 28, 1854 ; Colonel, Aug. 19, 1859 ; Major-
General, Jan. 1, 1862.
THE UNIVERSITY BOAT RACE.—The Oxford men
yesterday took a trial over the entire course from
Putney to Mortlake. There were a great number of per-
sons present, both on horseback and on foot, ranging over
the whole distance, Barnes being particularly selected as
the best spot for a view to those who did not accompany
the boat. After rowing down to the bridge from the Lon-
don Boathouse the crew started somewhat irregularly at 35
strokes per minute. The tide was exceedingly good, but
there was a slight wind against them. They soon settled
down to their work, their pace to the Point being a few se-
conds slower than it had been before, but there was nothing
more objectionable in their style than is ordinarily to be
found when they have been on the Thames not more than
three days. Mr. Brown's stroke is long, dashing, and
lively, but ho is not evenly followed throughout the boat.
The crew swing admirably together, but there is not that
uniformity of style so remarkable in finished University
crews. Between the Point and the Crab Tree the number
of strokes began to be increased, ana towards Hammer-
smith and through Corney Reach the speed was still fur-
ther augmented, the men doing 38 or 39 strokes per minute.
Mr. Morrison accompanied them on horseback. Although
far from perfection, it is a very powerful crew. The time
of the trial was variously stated. It was alleged to be 21
min. 5 sec., but we learn from a private source that it was
23 min. 15 sec. Betting is 5t04 on Oxford.

AN EXTRAORDINARY MARRIAGE.—A peculiarly
strange scene occurred on Monday last at Old
Lakenham Church, on the occasion of the marriage of
Mr. Alder Heffill, jun., with Miss Elizabeth Stepple, of
London. It appears that the father's family are in the
habit of attending St. Stephen's Church, and being desirous
that the marriage ceremony should be performed by the
Rev. C. Baldwin, who officiates at St. Stephen's, permis-
sion was asked and given by the Rev. Alfred Pownall, the
vicar, for Mr. Baldwin to perform the ceremony, the par-
ties living in Old Lakenham parish. Accordingly, on
Monday morning, all the parties attended at the church—
minister, bride, bridegroom, and their friends—when, to
their dismay, the church was found to be closed, and no
sexton or clerk present to assist in the ceremony. After
waiting for some time in the cold, and trying in vain to
find up the officials, the key of the church was obtained,
when fresh difficulties presented themselves—the vestry
was closed also. What was to be done ? Force the vestry-
room door. This having been accomplished, it was found
that there were neither surplice nor books, and the affair
seemed as far as ever from being completed, when a thought
occurred to one of the parties that a sheet should be bor-
rowed, and the marriage proceeded with. This was soon
done, and the Rev. C. Baldwin, having been arrayed in
the sheet with the aid of a pin or two here and there, pro-
ceeded to unite the parties in thrbonds of matrimony, and
after having sent to the clergyman's house for the parish
registers, the parties amusing themselves meanwhile by
ringing a peal on the three bells of the church, the happy
couple were at length enabled to proceed on their wedding
trip. As to the reason of the church being closed against
the parties after permission had been given for its use, no
explanation seems to have been given ; but it appears that
the Rev. A. Pownall waxed wroth at the strange proceed-
ings which had taken place in his church, and accordingly
the following bill was issued, calling together his congre-
gation and the friends of order in the church :—" Laken-
ham Cburch.—A solemn service will be held in Lakenham
Church on Friday, the 24th inst., to avert the wrath of
Almighty God, and to deprecate His righteous judgments,
in consequence of the profanation of His sanctuary on
Monday last. Divine service will commence at 1.30 p.m.
Ezekiel v., 11.-A TYILED POWNALIy vicar." A very small
congregation was present, and the vicar preached a ser-
mon from the above text. We shall, doubtless, hear more
of this case, as it is certain to be brought before the
bishop; and many parties have taken a more than ordinary
interest in the affair. We are informed that the brother of
the bridegroom purchased the sheet in which the rev.
gentleman officiated, and brought it away with him.—Bury
and Norwich Post.