The Sun.
London, England, 1862-11-21 00:00:00

THE LATE LORD MAYOR.

Mr. Deputy UNWIN then proposed a resolution
of thanks, in similar terms to the one agreed to on
Tuesday in the Court of Aldermen, to the late Lord
Mayor, for the very able and efficient manner in
which he had performed the duties of the office
during a period of two years. He said that he had
been for a great many years connected with the
Corporation, but he did not recollect any gentleman
who had filled the office of chief magistrate of the
City of London with greater satisfaction to his
fellow citizens and the public at large than the late
Lord Mayor. (Hear.)
Mr. J. SYMONS, in seconding the resolution, said
he was certain that every gentleman who had been
acquainted with the late Lord Mayor, and who had
observed the manner in which he performed the
duties of his office, could not fail to feel the greatest
possible esteem and regard for him. (Hear.) He
was very glad to find that his health was rapidly
improving, and b.e was sure he was only speaking
the feeling of every member of the Court when he
stated his hope that this might induce him to re-
consider his decision of resigning his office, and that
he Would consent still to continue a member of the
Corp,Jration. (Hear, hear.)
The resolution was then put and carried unani-
tnously, as was also a motion that the resolution
should be ornamentally transcribed and emblazoned
signed by the town clerk, and presented to Mr.
Alderman Cubitt, and that it should also be adver-
tised in the usual morning and evening papers.
Upon the motion of Deputy UNWIN it was re-
solved that a sum of 50 guineas should be presented
to the Rev. Michael Gibbs, the chaplain of the late
Lord Mayor, by way of a compliment for the ser-
mon preached by him before the Corporation on
Michaelmas Day, and also that he should be re-
quested to print the same.
THE DISTRESS IN LANCASHIRE.
Mr. LAWLEY gave notice that he should move at
the next Court that a further sum of £l,OOO should
be given by the Corporation in aid of the distress
at present existing in Lancashire. (Hear, hear.)
THE OFFICE OF CITY SOLICITOR.
Mr. S. H. WATERLOW, the chairman of the Offi-
cers and Clerks' Committee, brought up a report
from the committee having reference to the office of
City Solicitor, but in accordance with the unani-
mous feeling of the Court, he consented that the re-
port should be printed, and that the consideration
Of it should be postponed to a future day.

THE TRAFFIC IN THE CITY.
Deputy LOTT, the deputy-chairman of the Police
Committee, moved the consideration of the bill that
had been already laid before the Court, the object
of which is to regulate the traffic of public and other
conveyances in the city of London, with a view to
remedy the inconveniences that at present exist
through the overcrowding of the principal city
thoroughfares. He said that the evils complained
of were increasing instead of diminishing, and it
'was absolutely necessary that something should be
done. Re said that he believed this bill, if carried
Out, would be attended with very good effect, and
he was ready to give all the information in his
power with reference to the provisions contained in
it.

Mr. SNELLING wished to know whether the bill
gave a power to interfere and direct the routes of
private vehicles, and vehicles used for business.
Deputy LOTT said that the bill did give a power
to interfere in these respects, and also gave general
powers to do what might be considered necessary
to remedy the great inconvenience that at present
existed, both with regard to business traffic and
public and private conveyances.
Alderman COPELAND expressed his opinion that
the present law was quite sufficient to effect all that
Was required—(hear)—and they had no right to
interfere with the requirements of commerce, or to
throw any impediment in the way of carrying on
the commerce of this great city. He did not believe
that the Legislature would ever grant them the fresh
powers they sought to obtain by this bill, and,
therefore, he trusted the Court would not proceed
any further with the matter. (Hear.)
Mr. IL L. TAYLOR said he was very glad to hear
the observations that had just been made by such
practical man as Alderman Copeland. (Hear.) He
believed that if they did persevere with this bill the
whole trading community of the city of London
would be up in arms against it. What right had
the Corporation to give directions as to the mode in
which a man was to carry on his business ? (Hear.)
For his own part he was pleased to see the extent
of the traffic—it was an honour and a credit to the
city of London, and the Corporation would be
greatly exceeding their powers if they endeavoured
to interfere with it. He was anxious to put the
extinguisher upon the subject at once, and he should
therefore move as an amendment that the re-
commendation of the Police Committee be not agreed
to. (Hear.)
Mr. SNELLING seconded the amendment.

Alderman LAWRENCE said that in his opinion
many of the clauses of the proposed bill were most
objectionable, and he should therefore cordially
support the amendment.

Deputy JONES said he was sorry to differ from
his worthy alderman ; but there could be no doubt
that a crying evil existed, andit appeared to him
that it was absolutely necessary something should
be done in order to remedy that evil.
(Hear.)
Mr. S. J. GIBBONS supported the amendment,
on the ground that it was an improper interference
with the trade of the city of London.
Deputy ELLIOTT said he was sorry to find that
the trading intereet was not willing to give up a
small portion of its privileges for the benefit of the
public generally, and he would only observe with
sent stoo reference to the statement that the law as it at pre-
d was sufficient to meet the case, that if it
were so it was a great pity that it was not acted
upon to remedy the terrible state of inconvenience
that existed at present, (near, hear.)
After some further observations by Mr. Saunders,
Deputy Bower, and Mr. Pedler, in opposition to
the bill, and from Deputy Pry
and Mr. Rewe, in
its favour, the first mentioned
of these gentlemen
suggested it would be advisable to refer the bill
back for further consideration, and not to reject it
at once.

Deputy LOTT replied, and he urged that it was
clear the only opponents of the bill were
wholesale houses, who did not choose to hthee their
great
convenience interfered with, and he contended
that
the Court Was imperatively called upon to do
some,
thing to effect an alteration of the present system,
If they did not, he could tell them that the evil was
increasing every day, and before long they would
come to a dead block, and would be compelled to
take some steps in the matter. (Hear, hear.)
The motion was then put, when the amendment
was declared to be carried, A division was called
for, when there appeared—
For the amendment..

........... 65

Against it .. 49
Majority against the bi 11.... —.16
The whole of the aldermen present voted in the
majority.

Deputy FRY then proposed, as another amend

meat, that the bill should be referred back to the
Police Committee for further consideratio with a
view to its provisions being altered and !Lade more
in accordance with the feeling of the Cuurt.
This amendment was supported by Deputy Pew-
tress and Mr. Lawley, and opposed hy Mr. H. L.
Taylor and Deputy Harrison.

Deputy LOTT expressed his readiness to agree to
the suggestion of Deputy Fry ; and with reference
to some observations that had been made by Deputy
Harrison, he said he wished it to be understood that
the aldermen had no power at present to make any
regulations for the traffic of the City of London.
The amendment of Deputy Fry was then put and
carried.