The Sun.
London, England, 1847-05-08 00:00:00

WASTE LANDS IN IRELAND.

TO THE RIGHT HON. SIR C. WOOD, BART., M.P.
Sin,—When I endeavoured to establish the expediency of
"reclaiming the waste lands in Ireland," as one of the very
best modes that could be devised with the two-fold object of
employing the people and enabling the proprietors to meet
the pressure to which they will most assuredly be subject for
some years, I most carefully abstained from depreciating any
other plan ; because I felt that such depreciation could not
prove that mine was proper to be adopted, and it appeared to
me clear that circumstances had arisen, and were likely to
continue, which would render it wise to adopt every remedy
which could bear the test of public discussion ; and although
I believe it was most unfortunate that Lord Morpeth's plan
respecting railroads in Ireland was not adopted, yet you
have forced upon me the necessity of comparing the plan I
proposed with that which you have asked Parliament to
sanction. _ _ _

At first sight it appears strange that, when the end all par-
ties desire is the same, and the best means to be employed
is principally a question of figures, the difference of opinion
should be so wide. In the case of the reclamation of waste
lands, I attribute this difference to that want of practical ex-
perience in agricultural affairs which was so painfully exhi-
bited by the sarcasm of Sir Robert Peel, whose Taurine
liberality had led the public to believe he was a skilled prac-
titioner in Bucolic lore, and only waited his turn to be called
in to administer the proper remedy. He sneered at the
" reclamation of waste lands," as being the drainage of bogs,
thus proving his total ignorance of the subject, or, which I
should be sorry to impute to him, a wish to depreciate a saga-
cious plan because he had not brought it forward.
I take as correct your own estimate in the discussion on
Lord George Benticck's motion, viz., that one quarter of the
sum actually expended upon a railroad is paid in wages to
the labouring class; and I ask for no deduction on the
ground that you are about to lend money to companies,
whose works being in a forward state, have probably laid
out a considerable portion of the quarter required for mere
labour, taking in round numbers the sum you propose to
lend at 600,0001. 150,000/. only would be employed in
labour, and 450,0001. in other objects.
By the reclamation of waste lands to the extent of
600,0001., every shilling of your outlay would have been
spent in labour; and reckoning the cost of reclamation to be
IN. per acre, you would have an additional 60,000 acres
bearing corn next year. Can you doubt the advantages
such an expenditure would produce in a moral, a social, and
a political view. A week has hardly elapsed since you
ventured to appear in the character of a prophet of good;
the result has not been equal to your wishes. Try again.
What will be the condition of the Irish people during the
next winter with the best of harvests? While you are con-
sidering this important question, let me compare the plan
you have adopted with that which I proposed.

PLAN YOU HAVE ADOPTED. PLAN I PROPOSED.
600,000/. advanced ; 150,000/. 600,0001. advaneed ; every
spent in employing the people. shilling expended in employ.
ing the people.
The labourers thrown out of A perpetual demand for la.
employment when the works hour on 60,000 acres of land.
are finished.
None but the able-bodied, Agricultural labour adai

pted
and even only the best of to the strength and sex of the
them, employed. ipeople.
Next year a railroad party Next year an addition of
completed. 60,000 acres of land bearing
corn.
Profit to shareholders in use Profitable example to other
of stock. landlords and tenants.
__

Injustice practised to share- Establishing many exam-
holders in other lines, unless plea of that useful distinction
similar advances are made'between a tenant and ala-
under similar circumstances, bouring class, whichevery
tpheirnsgonnheeadsfdu.elclared to be one
Many—many other advantages will
your mind ; but the plan would havebeen d gstgaersttedo
_ne
p resent
ii,icu
itthoetme
xs themselves to
—difficult indeed ! Why, it would be ditliclultozysu
ur
more easy, unless difficulties had been
an unwise one
difficult indeed !—a bad excuse for ally man
1:1 Ireland have only
for a statesman. Your ditlicultibees
the harvest you must
begun. However bounteous h mln probability con-
again feed the people; mall il -
sears—yet you have neglected the
tinue to do so for some
system
osterem-
only plan which you could have increased the quantity of
by
food, employed the people, and Lnitrhotalyuceetdhealli)oenttoeurr
in the social condition of
Ireland.
main your most obedient servant,

RIGBY WASON.

-Yesterday morning, between
E FigE.
YTENSIVE
fire was discovered in the shop of Mr. Cloak,
two and three, a
Great St. Andrew's-street, Seven-dials. Au
oilman,an
narm was raised, and a vast assemblage of persons, even at
that early hour, was present, and in a few seconds the fire-
and engines from Crown-street and Chandos-street were
in attendance. The firemen, with great difficulty, obtained
the mastery, and the fire was extinguished, but not until
considerable damage had been the consequence. The cause
was unknown.
SUDDEN DEATH OF MR. BROADFOOT, THE COME-
, DIAN.—ROCIIESTEa, MAY s.—An awful instance f the
un-
certainty of life occurred here to-day. Mr. A. ,- - o Broadfoot,
the stage manager of our theatre, after having
which. erasbeen
a appointed
in matters connected with bis benefit,
to take place on Monday next, apparently in his usual health
and spirits, returned to the theatre about noon, when he
complained of being unwell. Accompaniedli by Mr. Scott, the
scenic artist, he proceeded to Dr.
imme-
diately came into the surgery, when he found the unfortunate
gentleman lying ontlieeNvs
i, E
floor aTcorpse. An inquest was held
J. B
in the evening by
coroner for Rochester, and
from the evidence of the medical'l attendant it appeared that
death arose from an attack of apoplexy.
N
WAKEFIELD C MARKET, FRIDAY.—Our ar-
rivals this week are sOnßia 11, with the exception of oats. The
demand for verywheatpirses
animated at 7s. to Bs. per quarter
prices. above last week's Barley continues scarce, and has a
ready sale at 2s. advance, and malt in consequence is more in
request at an improvement of 2s. to 3s. per load. Oats are
fairr. peria
finale
e a stone, and shelling 3s. per load higher. Beans meet a
IS. per quarter more money.