The Sun.
London, England, 1851-06-06 00:00:00

FRIDAY EVENING-, JUNE. 62 1851.

breast. We saw no blood till we took her clothes off.
The wound was about an inch long and deep. We sent
for a surgeon. The prisoner said he had not done it;
she had run against the knife. I saw a knife on the
table. It was a broad table-knife, with a round point.
Police constable Walker hero produced the knife.
Mr. Francis Browne—l am partner with Mr. Finch,
the surgeon. I was called on about eleven o'clock last
night. A man came to oar house and said a woman had
been stabbed. I found a wound about three inches below
the left nipple; the woman was in a state of collapse,
and had fainted. I thought it necessary that what she
might have to state should be taken down, as she was
in very considerable danger at this time, and there was
little probability of her recovering from such a wound.
It was an inch long.

Mr. BEADON—Do you think if we were to take the
prisoner down to the house, so as to take the woman's
deposition in his presence, it would be too much for her?
Mr. Browne—lthink there can be no objection whatever,
as reaction has set in.

Mr. Beadon, the magistrate, with Mr. Alfred Taylor,
the chief clerk, and Mr. Browne, the surgeon, accompa-
nied by Mr. Bicknell, the superintendent, then proceeded
to visit the injured woman, police-constables Walker and
Oatley, and the primer.
Mr. Beadon then administered the oath, and the poor
creature said—My name is Elizabeth Eastwood; I am
the wife of William Eastwood. We live at the Point. I
was sitting in my rocking chair between nine and ten
o'clock last night on the opposite side of the room to my
husband. There was nobody else there. Some angry
words passed while he was eating his supper, and he had
his knife and fork in his hands; he ran at me and stabbed
me. I said, "You have killed me;" and he said, "Oh
Elizabeth, don't say that." As I expect to die, that is
the truth.

The wounded woman then signed her deposition, and
the prisoner was taken back to the court, from which he
was remanded till Monday next.

UNIVERSITY INTELLIGENCE.
OXFORD, JUNE 4,-PRIZE FOR AN ENGLISH POEM
ON A SACRED SUBJECT.—A benefaction of 1,0001.
Three per Cent. Consolidated Bank Annuities, having
been offered to the University, the interest to be given
as a prize for an English poem on a sacred subject,
which shall be awarded, under certain regulations, once
in every three years, and the same hating been accepted
by convocation on February 15, 1848, the following sub-
ject is proposed for the year 1854:—" The Dedication
of the Temple." The compositions must consist of not
less than sixty, nor more than three hundred lines. The
candidates must be members of the University, who at
the time when the subject is announced shall have passed
the public examination for the degree of B.A. The
compositions aro to be sent under a sealed cover to the
Registrar of the University on or before the Ist day of
December, 1853, and the prize is to be adjudged on the
Ist day of June, 1354. The author is required to con-
ceal his name, and to distinguish his composition by
what motto he pleases; sending at the same time his
name and the date of his public examination, sealed up
under another cover, with the same motto inscribed upon
it. The composition to which the prize shall have
been adjudged is not to be recited; but printed copies
aro to ba sent by the author to the Chancellor, heads of
colleges and halls, the proctors, the judges of the compo-
sitions, the professors, the founders of the prize, and to
the Bodleian Library.
CAMBRIDGE, JUNE 4.—SIR WILLIAM BROWNE'S
MEDALS.—Sir William Browne having bequeathed three
gold medals, to be given annually to such resident un-
dergraduates as shall compose the beat Greek ode, in
imitation of Sappho; the best Latin ode, in imitation of
Horace; and the best Greek and Latin epigrams; the
first after the model of the Anthologia, and the second
after th&t of Martial; the medals for the Greek and
Latin odes have been adjudged to Mr. F. V. Hawkins,
of Trinity College, the late successful candidate for the
Camden medal.

Subject—Greek Ode—Oraculoruni defectis.
Subject—Latin Ode—Carolus AMertus Sardinia Rex.
The medal for the epigram was uut adjudged.
DIVINITY.—The Norrisian Professor of Divinity will
commence his lectures for Michaelmas term, 1851, on
Saturday, November 8.

MR. EMERSON on SLAVERY in AMERICA.
The :ollowing letter was sent by Mr. R. W. Emerson,
in answer to an invitation to attend the annual meeting
of an Anti-Slavery Society held at Concord, United
States, on the 3rd ult.:—
" New York, 18th March, 1851.
" Dear Friend,—l bad more reasons than one to regret
leaving home at this time, and, if my present engage-
ments were not of two seasons' standing, I should have
made every effort to relieve myself. For your liberty
meeting, I thing it has a certain importance just now;
and, really, at this moment, it seems imperative that
every lover of human rights should, in every manner,
singly or socially, in private and in public, by voice and
by pen—and, first of all, by substantial help and hospi-
tality to the slave, and defending bins against his hunters,
enter his protest for humanity against the detestable
statute of the last Congress. I find it a subject of
conversation in all cars and steamboats, and everywhere
distributing society into two classes, according to
the moral feasibility of individuals on one part, and
their habitual docility to
.party leading on the other. I
do not know how the =3°HOof today will be found
to decide. Sometimes people of natural probity and
affection are so wrapp-d by the habit of party, and show
themselves so unexpectedly callous and inhuman, that it
seems we mast wait for the Almighty to create a new
generatio❑ a little more keenly alive to moral impres-
sions, before any improvement in institutions oan be
looked for. But, as far as I have observed, there is, on
all great questions, a tide of undulation in the public
mind, a series of actions and re-actions. The momentary
interest carries it today; but, presently, the advocates of
the liberal principle are victorious—and the more entirely,
because they had persisted unshaken under evil report.
And, as justice alone satisfies everybody, they are sure to
prevail at last.
" If the world has any reason in it, it is for ever safe
and successful to urge the cause of love and right. I
know it is very needless to say this to you, and others
like you, who cannot, if they would, help serving the
truth, though all the world be gone to worship Mam-
mon. But it is the only answer I know how to make
to our mathematical compatriots. So, wishing you a
day of happy thoughts and sympathies on Thursday, I
remain, yours respectfully and gratefully,
" R. %V. EMERSON."

SEABORNE MAILS.
[1; ffignmee that the mails are sent from the General Post-ofilet
by the nlzht—and M by the morning---dispatch.]

rums& When made up in f From what when
GeneralPoet-odic. port dis- due.
London. patched.
•
) America (by Brit. pkt.) N JIM 6 Liverpool • • June 9
America (by U.S. pkt,) N June 10 .. Liverpool
"'erica (by U.S. Pkt.)M Jane 18 Southampt. Juno 12
Africa (West 04)&10.. N 14th of the month Plymouth June 3
Ale'ab des* ••••• • • • N 19th & 30th of mo. Dover • • June 1$
Belgitan • . .. •. N Daily . Dover .. Daily
Brazil •• • •• M 9th of the month Southampt. June 12
Buenos Ayres .. M 9th of the month Southampt. June la
California(viaChagres)M 17th of month Southampt. Jane 5
Cape of Good Hope N 14th of month Plymouth.. June 3
Constantinople* .. •• N 7th 17th 27th of mo Dover .. Jane 10
Central America .. M2d k 17th of mon. ,Southampt. June 5
' Channel Isles .. .. N Mon., Wed., &Fri.lSontkampt. To. Th.Ba
Chill " •• •• • M 17th of the month Southampt. Juno 20
, France ••3I N Twice daily .. Dover .. Twicedaily
Greece* • N 7th 17tia 27th ef mo Dover .. June 10,
Hamburgh N Tuesday k Friday London .. Toes. Sat.
• Holland • • • • .. M Wednes. & Satur. London Mos.Thcr
Honduras . lreland N 17th of the month Southampt. Jane 20
N Twice daily .. Holyhead • . Twicedaily
India (via Southamp.) M 20th of the month Southampt. Jane 23
India (viaMarsailles) 17th& 24th ofmonth Dover • • June 18
Mediterranean (via
Southampton) M,,2oth of the month Southampt. June 23
Mediterranean, (via I
Marseilles) .. N 7th&24thofmonth Dover .. June 18
Mexico .. M9d of the month.. Southampt. Jane b
Madeira " • • •. M 9th of the month Southampt. Jane 19
Malta* N C 70417th,19t11,27th Z Dover Jane 10
k 30th of month
Naples* .. • • ~ N bth 15th 25th ofmo Dover .• June 12
Papal Statue, N sth 15th25thefmo Dover .• Jane 12
Peninsular .. • • .. M 7th 17th 27th of mo Southampt. June 16:
Pe• M 17th of the month Southampt. June 20
Tliscany* Nlsth 15th 25 th of mo Dover • • June 12
Neat Indies .. M' 17th of the month Soathaiapt. June 20
'rest Indies (exsept
Havanna & Nassau) M2d of the Month Southanapt. June 5
* The mails to those countries thus marked (0) are conveyed by
French packet via Marseilles.
CALIFOILXIA.—MaIIs to and from California, via the United State
are now dispatched and due by every American packet.

MENIrIcENT DONATIONS TO THE ROYAL ORTHO-
PAPIo HosPrraL.—Her. Majesty the Queen and his Royal
Highness Prince Albert have subscribed 1001. to the Royal
Orthopedic Hospital, in addition to which the committee have
received many other donations, including 501. from the trus-
tees of the Cholmondeley Charities, 501. from Quarles Harris
and Sons, and a promise of 5001. from " Anonymous" when
9,5001. shall have been subscribed towards the building fund
of the institution.
THE CoPYRIGHT QUESTION.-11l 8 prospectus of
the forthcoming "History of the Restoration," by Lamartine,
circulated among the booksellers of nearly every European
capital, the associated proprietors, Messrs. C. Gosselin, Pag-
nerre, Fume, Lecon, and Lippert, call the attention of their
confreres to the fact, that from the number of piratical
houses each one can sell but,a comparatively small edition, and
that by means of a large edition from one setting of the
types, they will be able to supply copies of the original and
authorised editions of works at such a price that the pirates
cannot successfully compete with them. If the European
publishers will assist them in the good work of this experi-
ment, the copyright question, so far as the piracy of French
books in Europe is concerned,' will be settled without thein-
terventiontn
of diploatists or ministers. —Lit wary Gazette.

- -
BalnitzoN.--It is stated in Lyell's Principles of
Geology, that in the reign of Elizabeth the town of Brighton
was situated on that tract where the Chain Pier now extends
into the sea; that in 1665 twenty-two tenements still re-
mained under the cliffs; that no traces of the. town are per-
ceptible; that the sea has resumed its ancient position, the
site of the old town having been merely a be ach abandoned
by the ocean for ages. On referring to the "Attack of the
French on Brighton in 1545," as represented in L the engraving
in the Archceologia, April 14, 1831, I find the town standing
apparently just where it is now, with " a feldi in the mid-
dle," but with some houses on the beach op posite what is
now Pool-valley, en the east side of which hou sex the French
are landing; the beach end of the road from Lewes.—Notes
and Queries.

VALUE OE TIME TO "CHEAP TRAIN" TRP,VELLERIS.
—The York, Newcastle, and Berwick Company Are said to
have had a clause introduced into a recent, Parliamentary
Bill of theirs, authorising the company to reduce the speed
of "cheap trains" from twenty to twelve n tiles an hour. It
seems to be considered that time is "of no , consequence" to
those who cannot afford to pay high fares, whereas it is pre-
cisely these to whom time is, in most case a, vitally valuable.
A man. with independent means could aff ard to journey lei-
surely, and to defray the increased expen ,diture incidental to
lengthened delays, but it is far otherwise 3 with the usual oc-
cupants of "cheap trains," and such checks on speed as
those just alluded to, can only tend to re-contra ►ct the public
habits of locomotion within the narrow limits c if the old jog-
trot coaching system, and to render " che ;al) train a" themselves
profitless. to the companies, because iseless to. the public.—
Builder.

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF LORDS, June 5.

Their Lordships sat to-day shortly before Five.
The following Bills this day received the Royal
Assent by Commission;—
Property Tax Bill.
Sale of Arsenic Regulation Bill.
Royal Naval School Bill.
London and Blackwell Railway Bill (Branch to Ilaydon-
square, Whitechapel,
Dritfield and Sheffield Turnpike Road Bill.
Mayfield Railway Bill (No. 2).
Leicester Waterworks Bill.
Shrewsbury and Bridgenorth Turnpike Roads Bill.
Whitby Waterworks Bill.
Scottish Central Railway Bill.
Regent's Canal Company Bill.
Halesworth, Beccles, and Haddiscoe Railway Bill.
North British Railway Bill.
London and Blaokwall Railway Bill (Extension of Time
for Widening).
Melton and Driffield Junction Railway Bill.
Derby and Ashborne Road Bill.
Aberdeen Public Records Bill.
Richmond and Lancaster Turnpike Road Bill.
Hereford, Ross, and Gloucester Railway Bill.
Manchester and Ashton-under-Lyne New Road Bill.
The Lords Commissioners were the Lord Chancellor,
Lord Cranworth, and Lord Stanley of Alderley.

Their Lordships resumed shortly after Five o'clock.
Several private Bills were, on the motion of Lord
REDESDALE, forwarded a stage.
Lord MONTE AGLE postponed the presenting of the
petition from Australia on tho subject of transportation,
of which he had given notice.
WHITSUNTIDE HOLIDAYS.

The Marquis of LANSDOWNE gave notice that he
should to-morrow move that the House at its rising do
adjourn to Monday se'nnight.
PETITIONS.
The Earl of HARROWBY presented several peti-
tions in favour of the Absconding Debtors Bill.
COUNTY COURTS EXTENSION BILL.
On the motion of Lord BROUGHAM the County
Clouts Extension Bill (No. 2) passed through Com-
Mittee, when divers amendments were introduced. The
Bill, as amended, was ordered to be printed, and to be
re-committed on the 17th.

PETITIONS.
The Earl of CARLISLE presented a petition, signed
by thirty ladies, members of the Woman's Rights Asso-
ciation of Sheffield, praying for a repeal of the taxes on
knowledge.
MARRIAGES (INDIA) BILL.
The report on this Bill was brought up.
AMENDMENT OF THE LAW OF EVIDENCE
BILL.

On the order of the day for the committal of this Bill,
Lord BROUGHAM signified his disapproval of cer-
tain parts of the Bill, and suggested that it should be
referred to a Select Committee, but at the same time
he was understood to protest against the Bill being re-
ferred to the judges.
The LORD CHANCELLOR was in favour of re-
ferring this most important Bill to a Select Committee.
Lord CAMPBELL considered that the Bill would
greatly improve the administration of justice—(" Hear,
hear," front Lord Brougham)—and his opinion had been
greatly confirmed by the letter which had been published
by his illustrious predecessor, Lord Denman.—(Hear.)
He thought the judges ought to be consulted, and that
their opinion was entitled to great consideration. He
would consent to refer it to a Select Committee, and had
no doubt that it would there receive every consideration.
Lord BROUGHAM had only intended to object to
calling the judges as witnesses before the Committee.
He thought the opinion of the judges entitled to every
respect.
The Bill was then committed pro forma, and ordered
to be referred to a Select Committee.
Lord BROUGHAM said his Noble and Learned
Friend, who was not then present (Lord Lyndhurst)
bad, in a recent speech, made a statement respecting the
Bill passed some time ago for the improvement of the
Court of Chancery in Ireland, the result of which he
said had exceeded: all their expectations. He had not
then compared that Bill, which was framed by the pre-
sent Master of the Rolls, with the provisions of the
measure he was now about to lay upon the table of the
House. That was the same Bill which ha:had introduced
to that House in the course of last session, and which
had passed through all its stages then without any oppo-
sition, with the exception of some doubts expressed by
the late Noble Master of the Rolls. These doubts were,
however, subsequently so far removed that the Noble
Lord had waived any further objections to the measure.
In consequence of the lateness of the session when it
went down to the other House it was dropped. Now this
Bill was almost identical with the one which it appeared
was so successful in Ireland, and the facts mentioned by
his Noble and Learned Friend respecting the Irish Bill
applied with equal force to his measure. He had stated
the provisions of the Bill oa a former occasion. It had
been most carefully prepared by a learned relative of
his, and was intended to supply the defects of the dead
men's clauses, as they were called, in Chancery.
Lord CRANWORTH said that the Bill, no doubt,
deserved their most serious attention. He did not think
that the case of England stood in the same position as
that of Ireland. He recollected that Lord Cottenham,
about twelve, months ago, had proposed an alteration in
the proceedings of the Court of Chancery, abolishing
the netessity of petitioning. By these new orders the
system was, he believed, made as inexpensive and expe-
ditious as could well be expected. If the Bill had
worked so well in Ireland, he (Lord Crsnworth) was
surprised that his Noble and Learned Friend had not
adopted that feature of it which referred to the petition-
ing part of the subject.
Lord BROUGHAM said it was owing to the expense
of petitioning, which was 151. alone, that he did not pro-
pose to proceed by petition.
Lord CRAN WORTH said that that fact showed the
propriety of saying nothing on the Bill until it was
actually before them.
Lord BROUGHAM said that when his Noble and
Learned Friend saw the Bill he would find that it did
not interfere with the new orders.
The Bill was then laid on the table and read a first
time.

Lord BROUGHAM haying proposed the names of
the Select Committee to which he referred his former
Bill,

Their Lordships then adjourned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS, June 5.

(Continued from our Afternoon Edition of yesterday.)
The SPEAKER resumed the Chair at a Qu*rter before
Fire o'clock.

ROYAL COMMISSION.

Sir A. Clifford, the Usher of the Black Rod, ap-
peared at the table of th© House, and summoned the
Speaker to attend in the House of Lords, to hear the
Royal assent given to certain Bills (tor which see
Lords' report).

The SPEAKER, on his return, announced the names
of the Bills which had been assented to.
METROPOLIS WATER BILL.

On the motion for the second reading of this Bill,
Mr. COCHRANE rose to move an amendment, that
it is the opinion of this House that no Bill for the
supply of water to the metropolis shall be proceeded
with, unless the works required for an improvei and
r complete supply of water to the metropolis shall be put
up for competition as to the terms on which
they shall be executed and maintained, upon a
contract for a term of years, on a general rate.
' The Honourable Gentleman, after relating the history
of the existing metropolitan water companies, from
the establishment of the New River Company down
to the present time, proceeded to state that he op-
posed this Bill because it would increase monopoly in the
water supply of the metropolis. The history of
the existing water companies was perfectly incredible,
and he was very much afraid that the present state of
the company and the conduct of their managers was
equally reprehensible. Many years ego there was a
water mania somewhat resembling the railway
mania of 1846, and things reached such a pitch
that the Legislature was compelled to interfere.
Then was established that monopoly which the public
now complained of, and he for one thought very properly
complained, for a more disgraceful System could not be
conceived than that which regalated the water sup-
ply of the metropolis. Within the last few weeks he had
personally gone over London to make himself master of
this very subject, and then sights met his eyes that per-
fectly astounded him. Nothing could be more horrible
than the scenes which he saw, and he believed M. Leon
Faucher, who had performed a similar tour of inspec-
tion, had publicly declared that our water reservoirs
were a stigma to a nation boasting of its civilization as
England did. (rha Hon. Member read his personal
notes of a visit to places in Bermondsey, Knightsbridge,
and other districts, showing that diseases of the worst
character always existed where the supply of water was
either deficient for impure.) While the average
duration of life among the higher classes
was 42 !years, among the poor and industrious people,
who were more particulary subject to the misery and
discomfort of filthy and unwholesome water, it was only
ten years, and that fact alone he thought was sufficient
to stamp the present system with the condem-
nation of the House. If a different system were adopted
he should be prepared to show that water might be sup-
plied at 2/d. for each house in London instead of ?id,
as at present. There was, however, never a greater
piece of jugglery attempted on the House than the Go-
vernment 80, which would place in the hands
of the different water companies a larger profit than
they now derived. Simultaneous with the Bill had ap-
peared the prospectus of a company, which, with a
capital of two millions of money, proposed
every house in London at a penny a week each with
da.
to supply
capital, pure, soft water at high pressure. Add to thoasttlo _
as compensation for the present companies,
water would be only half of that which it
was
alone
pre-
sent. The saving in washing with soft water
Napier
would be a quarter of
softhad swhaotwernthe
atc
a million a year. Mr.
cthoualtds7berniollbi
tahiril of what
the cost would not be much more thanr
obtained
ned gallonsf
rool perF Farnham,
ofro thean
d purest
that
were sufficient to prove the inefficioeron7anies.
(Mr.
it was at present. The scenes ofh9rro awasitnweeselledasdatihlye
He
inhumanity of the existing
nopoly of water, one of the ?
Cochrane) wanted to know wwfiahrtyestrshncoecueldssathreierse
obfeliafe,moon.
In conclusion, he (Mr.
the part of water companies
Coehraue) quoted from M. Leon
stronglyraoucohl ei
sr the
een presentcondemna-
tory e m
n a
the
Prime Minister of France, a passage
tory of the sanitary state of m
of the local administration, and p
condemnatory of
the monopoly of water by
Thet Bheniiii necompanies in posses-
sion of that privilege.before the House bore
on its face the
approved tYrey companies
of I thei t G"o7
stamtopkonfowthtehsae,
vbuetnieenzit, f urlin
measureli to conclude that it would give no sa-
tisfaction to the public. Under these cirouuntuces he
moved his amendment.
• -

Sir 11 HALL should not vote for the proposition of
the Hon. Gentleman— he could not understand it
Mr. B. COCHRANE said he would withdraw the
r amendment to give way to the' amendment for a second
reading that day six months.
The amendment was withdrawn.
Mr. MOFFAT then rose to move as an amendment,
that the Bill be road a second time that day six months.
It was clearly and distinctly proved by the Board of
f Health that the supply of water to the metropolis was in-
sufficient by reason of its defective distribution; that it
was inferior in quality, an containing vegetable and or-
ganic matter in solution; and that its cost was higher
' tha❑ it ought to be. The cost was now about 430,000/.
per annum, but it had been shown that it could be ob-
tained for half that sum, of a much more useful and effi-
cient character, sad of a greater economy in the article
of washing. The total cost of washing in the metro-
polis was five millions yearly. There was a graver ob-
jection to the Bill, inasmuch as it proposed to take the
whole property of these companies at a fair and liberal
valuation. But the value must be taken at the present
value—the value of monopoly; not such a value as open
competition would have settled. He also objected to the
mode in which the machinery of the Bill was to be
worked. If the Bill passed he believed there would be
no material benefit to the public as far as a pure supply
of water was concerned. Nor was the Secretary of
State the proper person, even if ho had time to spare,
to look after this important sanitary matter. He did not
believe the Bill would lower the rate to the public gene-
rally; for he found that by the Bill the rate was still to
be 6d. for every 1,000 gallons. Now, in Whitehaven he
knew that the inhabitants were supplied for id. per 1,000
gallons. He thought the Government ought to do with
water the same as had been done with gas. This would
serve to protect the public against combination. He
thought Government had neglected the interests of the
public in the step they had taken; for it appeared to him
the only effect of the Bill would be to substitute one
great monopoly for several smaller ones. He begged to
move his amendment that the Bill be read that day six
months.
Sir B. HALL had no hesitation in declaring from his
knowledge of the feelings of the inhabitants of the me-
tropolis, from the east to the west, that they unanimously
desired the Bill should not be proceeded with. The
effect of this Bill would be to continue the management
of affairs in the hands of the existing directors, and the
result would be that competing companies could never
be again established. He objected also to the mode
proposed for valuing the property and the shares of the
existing companies, because if persevered i❑ it would be
impossible to expect that the public would have any im-
mediate reduction of the present cost of water to them.
The Bill was a Bill entirely for the benefit of holders of
shares in water companies, and before they granted this
boon the House ought to see what good these compa-
nies had done to deserve it. Had they carried out the
conditions upon which they obtained their powers from
Parliament?—(Hear, hear.) He would prove from
documentary evidence before the Board of Health that
this was not so. It was impossible to get the Legisla-
ture to interfere effectually on behalf of the public, be-
cause the water interest was too strong in that House.
He had been told that no less than seventy-five n-m-
-hers of that House were holders of water company
shares, and therefore, as they bad a direct interest in
keeping up monopoly, he considered they ought to ab-
stain from voting on questions in which their private
interest was opposed to the public interest. To
show the variation in the charges to the pub-
lic, in one company the price was charged Bd.
per 1,000 gallons, in another the charge was
3id. per 1,000 gallons, showing a difference of
128 per cent. between the charges. Pamphlets had been
written on bath sides of the question—one by the Hon.
Member (Sir W. Clsy). i❑ which it was stated that the
Grand Junction, of which he was the chairman, drew

water at a place where there was no sewerage. Now he
(Sir B. Hall) believed it would be found that there was
a great deal of sewerage in the district from which the
Grand Junction drew its supply. Another company
drew its water from Battersea, but hero there was the
disadvantage of drawing the supply of water between
two sets of sewers. It was this system that the lion.
Member (Sir W. Clay) wished to be left undisturbed.
He could quote numerous other instances to show that it
was necessary the supply of water should be taken out
of the hands of those who at present had the entire mo-
nopoly secured to thorn. The Hon. Member here read
the chemical analysis of several descriptions of water
supplied by different water companies, to prove that all
the supplies were more or less loaded with impurities,
enimalculas, and other things injurious to health and
domestic purposes. The Hon. Member (Sir W. Clay),
however, said this was the kind of water the public
ought to have, and which his company would go on sup-
plying if Parliament would not interfere. He would
just show that the proposal of Government would fix on
the public a higher price than the New River Company
charged. He would first mention, that from a return
recently made of the price of shares of water comps-
flies, he found that a 1001. share of the New River, we
understood, was valued at 17,3001. For each 1001.
share the directors get a large income, nearly 9001.
he believed. He would show that the scale proposed
by Government for the rata of charging was
higher than the present scale of the New River Com-
pany. For a 7-roomed house the :Sew River charge was
245.; the Government charge,,.24s. 6d. For a 9-roomed
house, New River charge, 303.; Government charge,
31s. 6,i.; and fora 10-roomed hollow, New River charge,
36a.; Government charge, 40s. Ile said Government
ought to place the whole management and control in the
hands of the rate•payers.—(Hear.) Do not let the pub-
lic be subject to all the schemes. and extravagances of
the present directors, especially when they fAind that
the chairmen of two companies had put forward a pam-
phlet to say the public ought to be satisfied with the
system as it existed. The public •would be content to
buy the plant and property of wa tor companies at its
own price—(Hear)—but that pric I must be a very low
one. If the ratepayers were entrirsted with the matters
they would be found fully capable of managing their
own affairs. He felt bound, thor e fore, to resist the Bill
to the uttermost.)

Mr. W. WILLIAMS said the 'quantity, quality, and
price of water were complained ci t from one end of the
metropolis to the other. The BP IA was only intended to
create a job for the perpetual sum my of impure water to
the public under the sanction of Ii er Majesty's Govern-
ment.—(Hear.) To show the wcl king of the system he
would; ust notice that in London vand Southwark, where
there was competition, the averal t. 3 price per house was
20s. In the districts supplied by • the seven companies
the average price was 355. per ho 'vise, and in West Mid-
dlesex the average per house was 58s. Here was a dif•
ference of nearly 300 per cent. in ch eirge. Now, did Govern-
ment mean to pay the companywh ich sold its waterat3id.
at the same rate as the compai ty which charged 15d.
for the same quantity? He was i.atisfied that the Bill,
instead of putting an end to mono poly, would only con-
centrate the present seven monopolies into one gigantic
monopoly. Wby did the Right Hon. Gentleman not
leave the power of managing the ir own affairs to the
ratepayers. It was only by giving; the ratepayers this
power that they would get good, water at a cheap rate.
There must be something in the background, for the
present Bill certainly contemplated something more than
the public good. At public meetings the universal feeling
ing was that the ratepayers should. have the management
of this question plaoed,wholly in tb,eir hands, as they were
the best parties to look after the ir own interests. He
was of opinion that the power so tight by the Bill ought
not to be confined to the Secret i.ry of State. He was
satisfied it would bring that bigl t functionary into con-
stant collision with the inhabiter Ls and ratepayers of
the metropolis. He should give his decided opposition
to the Bill.

Sir G. GREY was anxious to h leer all the objections
that could be urged on the subjec tt before he addressed
the House. He had listened witl i attention to the dis-
cussion, and he was now prepare(l to address the House
on the question. The Hon. Mem her for Bridport, on the
second reading of the Bill, had b rought forward some
amendments which he afterwards withdrew. On that
occasion he did not labour to p )VO that which was
distinctly admitted—the defects of the present supply
of water to the metropolis. :He had, however, re-
ferred in general terms to the various inquiries
which had taken place on Coin mittees by the direc-
tion of the House, and the evidesi ice taken before the
Board of Health; and he amnia, Id that it could not be
disputed that souse essential char go was necessary to se-
cure to the public the beet pose Me supply of water at
the lowest possible rate. The 13 ion. Member for Mary-
lebone had dwelt on the characte r of the present supply
and the expense, as if ho (Sir G e Grey) were disposed
to contravert that position, when in fact the Bill before
the House was founded oa those admitted defects. He
was not bound to enter upon the defence of the existing
water companies. Hon. Membov. s connected with thorn
might do so if they thought fit; bi it as far as the tenour
of the statements made to the Hee se went, he was pre-
pared to admit the present sour et Is of supply were de-
fective—that the quality was bad --and that the expense
of supply had been greater than was necessary.
Another point insisted on was that competition had
failed to accomplish the object attributed to it. Now,
the Bill was framed on the prin eiple that competition
could not be relied on for the au pply of water to the
metropolis, and the facts alluded to in the report of the
Board of Health supported that vi raw. He did not think
the House would act wisely in ex elouraging competition
in the hope that it would produc :o the results desired.
pad:
The Hon. Member for Marylebo n e thought that some
control control should be given to the ratepayers,
expressed a similar opinion, bu.t had stated
d
that
$© had
expressed
culiar reasons existed in W mete repel's which
did not apply to other large towns, and
which
for the present it was not easy to overcome.
After a competition among he nine water com-
panies so severe that many shareh eiders were ruined, a
combination was effected, which n,
" enjoyed a complete
monopoly in supplying the metro, )c.l
Government had carefully conside cd the report of the
s with water. The
i
Board of Health, with the whole t:of the evidence, and
the effect it had produced on h.
Go-
vernment would not be justified-11 kindwas,that the
in assuming as proved
that the existing sources of supply should be abandoned,
or that the sources of
be adopted. The Governmentsupply sited by them ought to
Indic
he d. selected three gen-
tlemen to report on the subject, an d the inquiry was still
pending. The Government might have taken advantage
of that inquiry to have said that e bile it was pending
they would not support any measu re on the subject. But
after the various inquiries that had taken place, they had
thought it to be their duty to pr npose an alteration of
the present system, reserving the right of taking new
sources of supply, and also of clo sing any of the exist-
ing sources which should be proved to be unfit. The
principle!of the Bill, therefore, was not the perpetuation
of an irresponsible monopoly, but tl to substitution in its
place of a combined management, which he believed
would be productive of a great saving of expense. It
was proposed to consolidate the bet ads of
management
ut the nine exinting compauiez; into one, with reAric-
tions as to dividends, and limitations as to the amount
of the rates, and subject to the tlontrol of the Go-
vernment as to the ;sources I'm= wbioll water

f might be derived, and as to its mode of sup-
I ply. Another provision of the Bill would enable the
Government to keep the interest of any of these com-
panies at a fixed rate, and to transfer it as Parliament
might think fit. To a certain degree he believed the
charge, that the companies had abused their trust. The
remedy proposed was to take away the irresponsibility
of the companies, and to place them under such a con-
trol as would prevent the recurrence of abuse. Some of
the recommendations of the Board of Health report
were, in his opinion, well founded. He thought it was a
sound recommendation, that whatever might be done in
superseding the existing companies, a fair and adequate
compensation should be awarded to them, either by ar-
bitration or by a jury; but he did not approve of their
suggestion, that a board of salaried officers should be ap-
pointed for the purpoae of taking on themselves the ma-
nagement of a supply of water. On the part of the
Government he had declined to ask for those powers
which the Board of Health had recommended. All the
power they proposed to take was for the purpose of
exercisiog some efficient control over those trading
bodies to whom was entrusted the supplying of the me-
tropolis with water. Ho was not at present prepared to
controvert the opinions of Mr. Napier on the subject,
but looking to the contradictory opinions of the Board
of Health on the subject, he thought he should not be
warranted in saying that the whole supply
of water
should be drawn from the sources indicated in the re-
port. It had been assumed that the expense of the Go-
ernment plan would be greater to the consumer than
he expense of the present system. It was difficult
to enter fully upon such a point on the second reading.
The schedule now proposed was not to be regarded
as final, but as a subject for discussion in Committees
The present expense had been stated at 450,0001.
a year. The result of the inquiries bad been stated
in the schedule, and there was every reason to believe
that the expense would be reduced, as stated, by at least
100,0001. a year. Last year, in the Bill for providing a
supply of water from Watford, the expense was stated
at 478,000/., being an increase on the present amount.
It had been assumed that an extravagant compensation
would be given. It had been thought advisable not to
lay down any absolute principle of compensation in the
Bill. They had for their guidance the principle adopted
in the local waterworks Acts, under one of which the .
Corporation of Liverpool had effected the purchase of
the water companies in that town. It was a mistake to
suppose that the Government guaranteed to these comps.'
nies 5 per cent. whatever might be their malversatton
or extravagance. On the contrary, the complaint on the
part of those water companies who had expressed an
opinion on the Bill was, that it guaranteed no dividend
at all. The 31st clause contained a provision by which
the Lords of the Treasury, after inquiry, would be env'
powered, although the company might not be receiving
5 per cent., if they thought it was neglecting its duties,
to reduce the rates, and to charge such rates as they
thought might remunerate the company. As to control
by ratepayers, he might remark that a Bill had been
printed that day to tno introduction of which, though
he had not yet read it, he bad given his assent, as he did
not object to its principle. That Bill proposed to buy U.
under certain circumstances, the existing companies, and
to supersede the management of the nine companies by
entrusting the management to a body to be appointed by
the ratepayers. If the House thought fit to refer that
Bill to a Select Committee, he should offer no objection
to such a proceeding. The Hon. Member for Maryle-
bone seemed to doubt the efficiency of Government con-
trol, and had referred to the conduct of the Board of
Health with respect to the Interments Act. The Board
of Health had been most anxious to come to some amic-
able arrangements with the different cemetery companies
in order to obtain possession of their grounds, but tbey
had failed in every one instance, and were now about to
take the ultimate steps pointed out by the Act, and to
bring the terms of compensation either before arbiters
or a jury.—(Hear, hear.) Without pretending that the
present was a perfect Blil, he hoped the House would
read it a second time, so that its details might be sifted
in C .mmittee. If the House agreed to the second read-
ing, he should propose to refer it to the Committee of
Selection, in order that they might name a Committee of
five Members to consider its details up stairs.
Sir J. JOHNSTONE thought some measure was re-
quired to compel landowners to lay on water for their
tenants, where it could be easily done. His objections
to the present Bill were, that it proposed to do away
with the rights and privileges of the existing water
companies of the metropolis—that it proposed to amal-1
gamete them, without taking into consideration the dif-
ferent districts they supplied and the different sources
from which they derived their supplies of water; and
that it contained no principle of compensation. e did
not think that the saving anticipated would be such as
to justify amalgamation, nor could amalgamation be jus-
tified on the ground that there existed a source su-
perior to all the present sources of water supply. The
Farnham scheme was a one-sided affair, and had been
originated by persons not of the highest authority in
engineering matters. He denied, on behalf of existing
water companies, that there would bo anything equal to
the supply alleged to be required for the metropolis
from the Farnham districts; and that assertion wee
borne out, he contended, by the reports of Mr. Napier
and other scientific persons who had been employed
to examine the locality. Whatever might have been
the approved quality of the water, the supply could
never be sufficient for this city. The Board of Health at
one time complained that the companies did not send
enough of water; and at another, that they sent double
the quantity required.; so that the companies were at
loss to comprehend exactly what it was that was meant.
If the Government were determined upon legislating on
that subject, lot them appoint a Committee to examine
into everything connected with the present water supply,
and let that Committee report to the House on every
point bearing upon it. They should take into consi-
deration all the schemes started to supply the present
alleged deficiencies of the existing companies in their
respcctive works, the capabilities of the districts from
which they now derive their supplies, and the powers
which they might possess of increasing them ; also the
liabilities of each company, the amount of compensation
they might require, their scales of rates, whether rear
sonable or otherwise, and then let them come to the con-
clusion that all the existing companies were to be de-
stroyed, and one large company established in their
place for the supply of the metropolis and its neighbour-
hood. On the report of such a Committee they would
have a basis upon whkh Parliament might fairly legis-
late. He thought he had stated sufficient to show why
they should object to the present Bill. That any com-
pany could give the supply demanded under the existing
arrangements he did not think possible. As for those
whom he represented he could say they courted inquiry.
They had sustained a considerable quantity of abuse,
and yet the complaines made against them were not well-
founded. They only asked for an opportunity of meeting
face to face those who were so ready to accuse them of
so many faults. He had only to observe, in conclusion,
that he would oppose the motion for the second reading
of the Bill before the House.

Mr. MO WATT said he need take up but very little of
their time in demonstrating that which was already ad-
mitted on all hands—namely, that the supply of water to
the metropolis at present was bad and vicious in the ex-
treme. It was bad ia quality, deficient in quantity, and
excessive in price. Indeed, the Right Hon. Baronet the
6ecretary for the Horne Department, from the very fact
of his attempting to legislate on that subject, proved that
the nature of the supply was bad, and some legislation
necessary. Therefore he (Mr. Mowatt) would only deem
it expedient to apply himself to the Bill before them.
Now if legislation weal necessary for the procuring of a
better supply, the question arose, whether the proposi-
tionde of the Right Hot!. Baronet would go
remedy those ra-
dical to meet the
-
ticiency? He would ask, did that
B
se sse dH
and fatal
e d ffi
maintainedcti e
thats whichit
didt e
not,
a: systemthe poscon-
trary, the effect of his measure would be to perpetuate
through all time those very evils and abuses which he
said had induced him to legislate on that subject.
When' like a great many other denizens of this vast
city, he had discovered the impure quality of the
water supplied for the use of the inhabitants, he had
been glad to find that the Government had come for-
ward to legislate on that question. The succession
of Committees which had been appointed to inquire
into the matter had led him to expect a much more
comprehensive measure than the one now proposed?
What was the character of that Bill ? Did the
Government propose that they should go to better sources
for a supply than those impure aad deplorable ones
which all the existing companies were obliged to use?
No such thing The Right Honourable Gentleman did
qnuotalpitryo.posNe
et
iot
hdeor anything
prt
the cost of the present supply;
re-
duceohpenoseastotodothaenyquthainntgitytoand
consolidatingvearlly t
ahhea
pce onapanies so thatbut htheacoanytielma
whichplated
existed
shape and form would continue
in perpetuity. So far from rendering any service to, the
public, or bettering the supply of water, he thought the
Right Honourable Baronet would inflict the greatest ca-
lamity on the metropolis which it was possible for legis-
lation to devise. The only advantage which would be
derived from thus amalgamating together all those Qom"
panics would be, that their general management might
be thereby simplified. Now the public did not want
that consolidation of the existing companies, seeing that
all their plant was connected with the present impure
and deficient supply. He did not object to those com-
panies making as much as they could of their respect-
ive speculations; but it was requisite that the publics
exigencies should be met at some time or other It
might be said that Government reserved to themselves
the power, after consolidating the companies, of re-
quiring that it the water be not pure, and the supply
sufficient, recourse should be had to other sources for
a supply better in quantity and quality. He
(Mr. Mowatt) however, considered that they were al-
ready beyond that part of the question. It bad been
long admitted that the supply was inadequate, the quality
bad, and the price too high. The Right Gentle•
man, therefore, was doing a great injury to this metro-
polis, in deferring a decision on that subject one day
after the Bill was brought into that House. If the
Right Hen. Baronet was riot prepared to say to the
water companies at once, " You must go to certain good
sources for a better supply than you new procure, )36
had better not have attempted to legislate at all on that
most important question. Re did not think the Right
Hon. Baronet was justified in denying whit the HO-
Baronet the Member for Marylebone had said with re-
spect to the ef&ct of his Bill on raising the rates on the
inhabitants.

Sir G GREY said it would not have that effect in th
aggregate.
Mr. MO WATT continued—After all, the amount of
rates was of minor consequence, when the necessity of gi
supply of good water for the health of the public wax
taken into consideration. It was in a sanitary point of
view that the question was to be looked at most partv
eularly. The Hon. Member hero went into a brief de-
seription of some experiments which he had made ^l',
the water supplied to his uwu premiet4, winett he b,""
belt a thick, slimy deposit every month iu th°
cisterns ; and this used to cause the water,
after running in, to be muddy and dark; but that,

'lF'..