The Sun.
London, England, 1853-08-10 00:00:00

lad proved as great a nuisance as the Board of Health had
been to the metropolis. (A laugh.) The estimate of the
expense was originally 13,844/. and the contract price
12,3001. Well, °the actual cat had been upwards of
28,000/., and the compensation for damages, of which they
had been warned over and over again, was 5,0001., besides
claims sent in by the Duke of Northumberland. for 11,0001.,
and others sent in, and now lying on the table, to the
amount of 15,000/. So that the original estimate of
13,0001. had been swelled to 49,0001. ' • and it appeared
from further inquiry that the work had been most imper-
fectly executed. A surveyor who had been called in to
measure it had divided the whole course of the sewer into
thirty-eight lengths, and of those no less than thirty-seven
lengths had not been carried out according to the plans
and levels originally laid down. It appeared from further
surveys that the whole of the work was in so imperfect a
state that it would be almost impossible to render it
efficient or available. He found that in the four metro-
politan boroughs of Marylebone, Finsbury, Tower Ham-
lets, and Westminster, there were no less than 106,294
houses paying a duty of 212,2811., and containing a popu-
lation of 1,475,451 ' • and he thought it extremely hard
these immense districts should not have the power of
managing their own affairs. If no new works were under-
taken beyond those that were absolutely necessary, and if
none of any magnitude were undertaken without the con-
sent of the inhaitant householders, the objections whicl
existed to the continuance of the commission would be
materially modified.

Mr. PETO having been appointed one of the commis-
sion of engineers and scientific men to inquire into the
various plains proposed for the drainage of the metropolis,
wished to make a few observations. The two principles
which they had laid down were, first, that the sewerage
should be carried down to such a distance below London as
would prevent its being carried back by the tide ; the
second was, there should be a system of deep sewerage
into which the metropolis should be drained by the force of
gravitation, and that pumping should only be resorted to
where it was absolutely necessary. They found, however,
that they could not carry out these plans under the exist-
ing commission, and had resigned their offices, it being im-
possible to act satisfactorily with the existing body. They
had certainly done their best to place a practical plan be-
fore the metropolis, and they were ready still to give their
time and best advice to the Government. He felt that the
metropolitan members had some right to complain, and
unless the commission had the entire confidence of the pub-
lic, he believed it would be impossible for them to acquit
themselves satisfactorily. The hon. baronet had referred
to the large expenses incurred by the commissioners of
sewers, and the cost of management ; but taking the whole
amount expended in the previous year, he found the ex-
penses of management did not exceed 17/ per cent. With
reference to the existing state of the metropolis as regarded
its drainage, nothing could be more painful, and nothing
more calculated to affect most seriously the health of the
population. It must be a subject of the deepest anxiety
to all to learn, that as regarded the south side of London,
for 16 hours out of the 24 the whole of that area was little
better than a huge cesspool. It had been painful to him
(Mr. Pete) to receive reports from the medicalofficers
of
oc
the effects of bad sewerage upon the health of the inhabi-
tants of the metropolis, and to be unable to apply a re-
medy. He recommended the noble lord (Palmerston) to
consider and consult during the recess as to the adoption
of comprehensive and efficient measures for the redress of
this great evil. (Hear.) It was a disgrace to the country
that London should be, in this respect, behind ancient
cities such as Rome—the sewerage of which had been sin-
gularly effective and complete. If the noble lord would
consult with practical men, and constitute an efficient
commission, he would find no difficulty in devising means
to supply the metropolis with a good system of sewerage.
He suggested especially, that no work be undertaken with-
out the opinion and approbation of the first-rate engineers,
like Mr. Cubitt—(hear)—let there be no partial plans, but
a well-considered and complete system of drainage for the
metropolis. (Hear.)

Sir J. SHELLEY did not consider that the present
Board of Sewers deserved the confidence of the metropolis.
They might comprise individuals of eminence, but these
were not the persons who really did the business. This was
done by very different parties. It was all very well to
talk of Sir J. Burgoyne and gentlemen like him, but out
of 34 courts in one year, Sir J. Burgoyne had only attended
six, and Captain Beche a similar number. (Hear, hear.)
Again, out of 55 committees (in which the real work
was done), Sir J. Burgoyne attended only eleven, and
Captain Beche eight. A great deal had been said as to
the plan proposed by the commissioners—would it be
carried out by the works now proposed? Why, one part
of it was this : the drainage of the north of London was to
be conducted through Hackney-brook, a stream which for
four miles ran through fields, and which was to be covered
over, at an enormous expense, for the sake of carrying off
the drainage of the proposed new city market, to which
expense the city was to contribute only 2,0001. ; and the
sewerage was to be discharged into the river Lea, close to
the West London Waterworks. No one out of the house
had the least confidence in the present board of commis-
sioners. Mr. Chadwick had sought to carry out his own
absurd theories, for which purpose he had got rid of the
experienced officers of the old commission. The worst
drainage was south of the Thames ; yet, in defiance of the
opinion of Sir R. Stephenson, the commissioners did not
propose to execute any works for the present in that dis-
trict. The noble lord had promised the introduction of
the representative principle into the board. It was un-
reasonable that a lawyer should be appointed to preside
over the sewers commission. No man " learned in the
law" could be learned in drainage. Why, any man who
had tried to drain for agricultural purposes knew it would
take twenty years to understand the system. It was better
to have no drainage than bad drainage, for to cure it was
almost impossible. The present commission was devoid of
all power to remedy the evil. But none of the commis-
sioners were so bad as Mr. Chadwick, who was a perfect
pest wherever he went. (Hear, hear, and a laugh.) No-
thing but a great comprehensive scheme of drainage would
be effective, and it would be better to defer any endeavours
to redress the evil until it could be done well.
Mr. BUTLER declared that the Tower Hamlets bad no
confidence in the commissioners, and complained of their
conduct. The inhabitants had been paying rates for
100 years, and had yet no efficient drainage. (Hear.)
Indeed, they were worse off than before, since they had
been depaived of the benefit of natural watercourses, and
there had been no sewers constructed at all since 1847,
when the old commission expired. (Hear, hear.) The
registrar general of deaths continually appended to his
returns of mortality statements relative to the condition
of the sewerage as the cause of the deaths which occurred.
In 1847 the powers of the local commissioners were ab-
rogated, and their duties were undertaken by others.
But what should Sir Edward North Buxton know about
the duties of a sewers commissioner ? The local rector,
again, the Rev. Mr. Stone, was made a commissioner
of sewers. That rev. gentleman might bo very eligible
for a bishopric, but was not peculiarly qualified for the
lay post to which the Government appointed him. The re-
medy he (Mr. Butler) would propose would be the appoint-
ment of local boards, composed of men of standing and
ability, with a supplementary commission called an outlet
commission. Let the present commission be continued
for one year, but he hoped that in the recess the
noble lord would turn his attention to the suggestion he
had made.

Mr. WILKINSON expressed his surprise that the great
pains confessedly bestowed on this subject had not been
productive of some permanently beneficial result.
Lord PALMERSTON said that at present his mouth
was closed. (A laugh.) If the house would go into com-
mittee he would state his intentions.

Mr. EVELYN suggested the addition of a clause to the
effect that some company should undertake the operations
in hand this year, the works to revert to some more com-
prehensive machinery at a future period. He did not
think that the Thames would ever be purified by govern-
ment commissions, and looked for that consummation to
private competition alone.

Lord D. STUART objected to the instruction to the
committee proposed by the noble lord (Palmerston). His
constituents had no objection to make sacrifices in the
interest of the public health, but they first wished to have
good measures submitted to them. In the meantime they
feared they might be put to vast expense without any
corresponding object being secured. He did not believe the
public had confidence in this sewers commission, and
thought they would much rather subscribe the money in
order to put an end to it than continue its power. The
public ho believed would have no confidence in the present
proposal of the Government.
Mr. MALINS thanked the metropolitan members who
had spoken for the explanations they had volunteered with
regard to this sewers question. He was not disposed to
refuse the money asked for provided there was an as-
surance given that the money would be properly applied.
But at present it was doubtful whether the deep or shal-
low system of drainage was to be pursued, and this point
ought Primarily to be settled. He wished, therefore, that
an assurance should be given that the money to be taken
from the pockets of the people would be expended for a
strictly sanitary purpose in the interest of the public. He
hoped, moreover, that the noble lord would refrain from
putting merely ornamental names on the commission—
(hear, hear)—and that in its reconstruction he would be
numbers
solicitous to obtain a few working men rather than mere
, who could not devote themselves to the discharge
of their duties.
The house then divide
For Lord Pahnerston's motion
Against it

. 71
. 32
. -39

.......
committee.
The house then went into On clause 1,
Viscount PALALERSTON merely wished to say he was
quite willing to act on the suzgestion that money should
not be laid out without the
and approval of the engineers. He also iwrceudelthstenheleotesirwho said that nothing
would be satisfacte'ry
system. which
matter which was
would relieve the Thames from the sewer
tcwolllisit'lrebeet constructed ca
now discharged into it. He believed also
~.4revent foul
ticable to have the mouths of the :Zeit
hot-blast furnaces were constructed, so ar:
air and smells from diffusing themselves.
had been greatly disappointed at whatstheandbeinattdheoPanateYtelffaye
the commissioners, and he was only aiehe
commissioners did not strike altogether, geeing the utter
impossibility of carrying out the objects and the plans
they had in view. He again repeated that care should be
taken in expending the money usefully. Therewere about
2,000 miles of streets in the metropolis, and only 900 miles
were supplied with sewerage, therefore 1,100 miles re-
quired to be supplied. As Milton described the evils of
populous cities—
" Where houses thick and sewers annoy the air."
How much more must the air be annoyed where there
were no sewers to houses. (Hear and laughter.)
Sir W. CLAY hoped the noble lord would take care
hat no money should be laid out except on the advice and
suggestion of qualified persons.
Sir B. HALL thought it advisable the commissioners
should have a plan of the metropolis prepared, which could
be obtained by ratepars and parishes on application, and
this would very much facilitate the determination of the
Legislature.
Sir J. SHELLEY was better satisfied now that the
commissioners missioners would not have the sole power of expending
money, but were to do nothing without first consult-
ing the engineers. He hoped the noble lord would compel
the commissioners to say that the engineers should look at
the whole system of drainage, and not merely begin upon
some fancy piece of
at first anxious to hwork, such as the commissioners were
was attempted to bea
have enclosed, before anything general
Mr. A. PELLATT °clle,i not approve of the line of drain-
age for the northern
portion
He hoped that eminent engi-
on of the metropolis, as he con-
ceived it was too far sneers would be called upon
anything was finally determinedo give their opinion before
On clause 5 being proposed,
Mr. Mr. PETO suggested that the expense of forming this
e be sread
sys
timtem of sewerag
of e, otherwise the prpesent °Teereree.t9°Thaderable space
generation fairly taxed. ion would be =-
sir DE LACY EVANS wished to know what the
noble lord's determinations was with respect
present
toR
intentionaPera+l4 nog;
Viscount PALMERSTON said it was
the burden on posterity as well as the
the en