The Sun.
London, England, 1856-11-13 00:00:00

[PRICE 4D. STAMPED SD•

ing rescinded all their previous resolutions, which prevented
them from reconsidering that outfall, they were now in a po-
sition to discuss every point of outfall, and determine that
most important question. Being placed in this position,
the first motion brought before the hoard (vide page 509),
6th Oct., 185', was the • following :--` That the engineer's
report, so' far as it relates to the outfall at B on the plan,
be adopted.'
" Amendments were moved which were negatived, and
the original motion, in regard to the outfall at B was re-
jected. It therefore appears that at every time, and on every
occasion, up to the 6th Oct. last inclusive, when this plan
B, which is now submitted for the approval of the First
Commissioner was brought before the board it was set aside
or postponed for further information, and that when that
required information was furnished the plan was delibe-
rately rejected. The First Commissioner agrees with the
board in the several decisions arrived at, which he consi-
ders to have been quite correct.
" By the resolution of Oct. 22, which was placed in the
hands of the First Commissioner on Wednesday last, it
was determined that it be intimated to the Commissioners
of her Majesty's Works, &c., that the Metropolitan Board
of Works had also under their consideration other plans for
dischargieg the sewage into the river, and that it was the
opinion of-the board that if any extension was desirable
the board would undertake the work, provided the addi-
tional outlay Was paid out of the national revenue.
" The First Commissioner cannot give any final opinion
in relation to plans for the drainage of the metropolis un-
til such plans shall have been adopted by the board and
submitted for his approval after such adoption ; but he
will, without delay, consider any plan so submitted.
"The First Commissioner desires me distinctly to state
that he has no desire and no inteutioa to interfere in any
w:ay whatever in this matter beyond discharging the duty
which is imposed upon him by the statute; but if the board
should desire to see him previously to the consideration of
any plans, he will be moat happy to receive a deputation
from the board, and to confer with them upon this im-
portant Babied, •i•s- tb&-shoPereesdsseitis-stheAesire,-41sat St
may be brought ti ; some satisfactory isstte.—l am, sit your
most obedient servant,
ALERED AUSTEN, Secretary!'
The reading of the above document was frequently
interrupted by cries of "Hear, hear," and as soon as the
clerk had finished several members rose simultaneously,
but gave way to
The PRESIDENT, who said that he thought it neces-
sary to make a few observations on this matter. Since
the plan had been taken up to the First Commissioner,
he (che President) bad accidentally met him under that
root on Monday last, at the civic dinner. The FirstCons-
missioner then expressed a wish that they should have a
little chat on that important and vexed question, and
they had then a lengthened conversation ou the matter.
After pointing out to him some of the points which he
(the President) thought important, and the opinion of
the board, the First Commissioner expressed a wish that
they should have an opportunity of discussing the matter
more at large at the Office of Works, on Tuesday. He
accordingly went to that office on Tuesday, and they then
went into the whole matter of the plan. The First Com-
missioner stated that he had no desire whatever to inter-
fere with the duties and rights of the board, and that he
felt himself called upon, under the statute, to discharge
an imports n-, and in this case a very diffealt, duty; that
he felt bound to say that any plan that was sent up to
him by the board for his approval should be one in ac-
cordance with the act of Parliament, and that he had no
discretion, but must be guided by the statute itself. He
then expressed a wish that the matter had been discussed
in an interview with himself; and he (the President)
then stated the difficulties which the board had
to contend with, and pointed out to Sir B.
Hall the resolution which the board bad agreed
to when the plan had been ordered to be sent up—
namely, that the board was willing to extend the outfall,
provided the Government was prepared to obtain for the
board the necessary funds for the extension, inasmuch as
the board had not felt itself justified in extending the
main drainage at the cost of the ratepayers beyond the
requirements of the metropolis. He had also pointed out
to the Foot Commissioner that the board had not only
technically but substantially conformed to the Act of
Parliament, in freeing the Thames from pollution, and
that he (the President) entertained a very strong convic-
tion that it was the duty of the Government not only to
find the funds necessary for any extension, but that the
board had a very strong claim to ask the Government to
contribute to these very large structural works, indepen-
dent of the extension, when one took into consideration
the great extent of the works, the material benefit that
would be derived from them by the Government establish-
ments ; the improvement of the sanitary condition of the
seat of Government, where the representatives of the
nation resided half the year, and where the Court and all
the larger institutions of the country were established.
These considerations, he had urged, gave the board a
claim on the country when they were enesaged in carry-
ing out such vast structural works. The First Commis-
sioner said that he felt, as far as he was concerned, that
there was great force in that position, and that he was
inclined to meet the board in a proper spirit, and that it
some deputation from the board could make out to his
satisfaction that the board had a claim on the Govern-
ment, that be was prepared to submit such claim to the
Government. 'Hear.) He felt compelled to say that the
spirit in which Sir B. Hall had met him in that interview
of I,i hours' duration was gratifying, and showed that
whatever irritation existed, there was a desire to assist
the board in this gusstiou, which the first Commis-
sioner admitted was a difficult one. (hear, hear.) He
(the President) entertained the opinion very strongly
that if the board were to appoint a deputation to con-
sult with the First Commissioner on this matter, that a
conclusion Satisfactory to the board and to the public
would be arrived at; and seeing the First Commissioner
had a duty to perform under the act, he (the President)
thought that it was their duty to waive any personal
feeling that might exist on the matter when such im-
portant interests were at stake ; and seeing, moreover,
that the public expected this great question to be brought
to a conclusion. At present the board bad very little
credit from the public for the great amount of public
business that, was despatched ; and so it would continue
unless some advance was made in the question of main
drainage. (Hear.) He hoped the board would show some
disposition to meet the First Commissioner ; and he (the
President) thought that they would better consult the
interest of the public by such negotiations than by fight-
ing at a distance. He believed that much time would be
saved if this course was adopted; and he trusted that the
t, lard would meet the First Commissioner without refer-
erica to any previous transaction, under a sense of publio
'
silty, and with the special desire that that great ques-
tion Shes:ld not suffer by any wish on their part to even
say that w:2lcht under the circumstances, they might
feel to be j:istis with a
able. The President concluded
few general n'tna,ske.
On the motiwi f Mr. CAIiPAIAEL, the letter was
ordered to be printed, .circulated, and taken into consi-
deration on Friday next, 12 o'clock.
THE NEW STREET IN SOM.'MARK APPROVED BY
GOVERNME3:'
After the adjournment of the boars it was understood
.
that another communication had arrived from the First
Commissioner approving of the plan sent .1113 a few days
back for the formation of a new street from .High-street,
'•outhwark, to Stamford-street, Blackfriars.