The Sun.
London, England, 1865-04-07 00:00:00

WIMBLEDON COMMON BILL.

Lord BURY moved the second reading of this bill, which
was calculated to convert the common from what it was
at present, a dismal swamp, into a place of recreation and
enjoyment. The object of the bill was to carry into effect
the proposals of Earl Spencer, the lord of the manor,
to dedicate the common to the use of the public
in perpetuity. There were objections made to the
scheme of the noble earl, but ho was only anxious to con-
voy the common to the public in the most beneficial man-
ner. The principal objectors to the bill, he believed, were
owners of villas in the surrounding neighbourhood. If the
bill was rejected, and it was said that Lord Spencer had
no legal rights to give, he would consider himself absolved
from the promises he had made, and he would deal with
the matter as he thought fit.

Mr. COX moved that the bill be read a second time that
day six months. He hoped the house would support the
decision of the committee, which had reported that it was
not desirable that the common should be fenced round or
enclosed. If the common rights were extinguished the
common would no longer be a common, and the
public would soon be deprived of the rights they possessed.
Ho was not a villa holder in the neighbourhood, neither
did he know a single owner of property near the common.
Ile opposed the bill on the part of the 3,000,000 of his
fellow creatures who usod the common as a place of re-
creation. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. DRAX opposed the bill. Ho contended that Lord
Spencer had no power to enclose the common without an
act of Parliament.

Mr. LOCKF, as chairman of the committee which had
reported on the matter, denied that ho had been actuated
by unfairness. He could not understand what the noble
lord actually proposed, on the part of Lord Spencer, to
bind himself to. All ho could make out was that Lord
Spencer proposed that, if his legal rights were not at-
tacked, ho would give up fencing in the common. It had
been said that Lord Spencer was giving up a great deal,
but he confessed ho never could be made to see it. (Hear,
hear.)

Mr. LOWE thought that some injustice was about to be
dono to Lord Spencer. lio thought that whon a nobleman
proposed to give up 688 acres of land to the public, his
offer should not bo summarily disposed of without more
inquiry.

Mr. ROEBUCK thought the house at the present mo-
ment was totally unfit to decide upon tho matter. (Hear,
hear.) He confessed ho knew nothing of the matter, and
he thought that out of common decency and common sense
the bill ought to be sent before a proper tribunal—a select
committee. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. L. KING thought it much better the bill should bo
sent to a select committee than to reject it on its second
reading. He should vote for such a proposal.
Mr. PEACOCK assured the hon. member for Calne
that Lord Spencer could not do as he pleased with the
Common. If he had sat upon the committee he would have
found that Lord Spencer's rights wore not so clear as he
now imagined.

Lord ELCHO said he thought the feeling of the house
was favourable to the second reading. (No, no.) A strong
feeling, he believed, was entertained at the present moment
against enclosure, and he confessed he was of that opinion.
He had had an opportunity since the discussion began of
speaking to his noble friend (Lord Spencer), and he was
quite agreeable for the bill to be referred to a select com-
mittee.

Alderman ROSE said Lord Spencer was not going to
give up so much as was thought. The common was 1,000
acres in extent ; but Lord Spencer was going by act of
Parliament to get a property of 300 acres of the district.
He did not think the rights of Earl Spencer were so very
great. All he ever could discover was that his lordship bad
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gegintghograv
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lordship
up g
committee to believe that he was
giving
eat rights, but when asked to do so he was
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wished s digging
unable to comply.

Mr. W. COWPER was of opinion that the bill ought to
be read a second time. He thought the proposal a very
valuable ono, and he was sure the House only desired that
Wimbledon Common should become the property of the
public. The motion for a second reading should be agreed
to, especially as Lord Spencer had consented to the with-
drawal of that portion of the bill respecting the fence, and
other objectionable matters.
Sir G. BOWYER thought the bill ought to bo road a
second time and referred to a select committee.
The bill was then read a second time without a

CANADA (TRANSPORT OP TROOPS).
Mr. S. AYTOUN moved an address for returns of the
sums paid out of the Imperial Treasury during the years
1862, 1863, and 1864, for the transport of troops to Canada;
the expense of maintaining thorn while them; for arms and
military stores of all kinds ; whether for the use of the
regular troops or of the Canadian militia and volunteers;
or for any otheY object connected with the defence of
Canada : and, of all sums expended by the Colonial Go-
vernment during the years 1862, 1863, and 1864, for the
pay or clothing of volunteers, for providing arms or stores,
or for any other object connected with the defence of
Canada.—Ordered.