The Sun.
London, England, 1860-05-05 00:00:00

years ago to inquire into the state of the Thames, and they
had evidence given to them showing wha,,t great advan-
tages would arise in every point of view from' a good em.
blulcment of the Thames on proper principles. It would
secure greater purification of the bed of the river; it would
improve the navigation ; it would be conducive to the
general convenience of the metropolis. (Cheers.) Ia eN ery
point of view it was a scheme proper to be encouraged.
The particular object for which the committee was ap-
pointed was of a different kind, and, therefore in their re-
port they merely adverted to the circumstance. But he•
thought the house would do well to concur in the motion of
his hon. friend and appoint this committee. (Hear, hear.)
This committee would eolleot evidence showing in what way
the embankment could be made They would certainly not
recommend, he was sure, after what had been said, any
grant of public msaey; but they might point out how,
independent of the resources which the Metropolitan Board
had at its command, either by the coal duties or by privates
enterprise, the work, which would be a great ornament top
the metropolis and a great convenience to the traffic, might;
be accomplished. (Cheers.)

Mr. BENTINCK said those who were chiefly interested
repudiated the committee, and the Government repudiated
any idea of pecuniary assistance. He, therefore, did not
see how ingdiry could be of any use.
Mr. JOHN LOCK E said the inhabitants of Londsn did
not want the embankment, and if it were made to delight
the eyes of gentlemen visiting the metropolis from every
part of the country, the expense ought to be met, to a cer-
tain extent by the Imperial treasury. (No, no) He de-
cidedly objected to the amendment of the member for Stir-
ling, who had a strong objection to the spending of money
upon the metropolis, but who was the warm advocate of
grants in aid of the Scotch pickled herring trade. (Laughter.)
The proposed embankment would only pass through two
or three parishes, or "districts," as the amendment called
them, and on these it was proposed to levy the entire
amount.

Lord LOVAINE said the house was already in posses-
sion of evidence upon 'evidence, and estimate after estimate
and another committee could but produce results exactly
similar. Still, if it were any amusement to the hon, mem-
ber for Coventry to sit upon the committee, he should not
object to the motion, though he must be distinctly under-
stood to join in the protest against taxation, whether direct
or indirect, in order to carry out the project.
Sir S. M. PETO said the metropolis was committed to
the expenditure of £7,000,000 on the drainage scheme, and
the ratepayers were already cr., ing out that they derived no
benefits proportioned to the rites levied. They were conse-
quently not likely to contemplate with pleasurable feelings
the present proposition. All attempts at dealing with ques-
tions of this magnitude were but playing at legislation, un-
less a master mind existed to direct, and means equal to the
accomplishment of the works to be undertaken were forth-
coming. He did not wish to introduce an Imperial regime
into this country, but he could not help regretting the puny
hap-hazard spirit with which our Government shrunk from
dealing with great questions when he sawthe improvements
which had been effected in Paris. Here, on the contrary, we
suffered an agglomeration of warehouses to stand in the way
and were deterred from action by impediments originating
in arrangements dating from the time of Edward I. (Hear,
and laughter.) All that was required was that the Govern-
ment would deal with the question in a spirit worthy of
itself ; and all that was needed was that the noble lord the
member for Tiverton should carry it out in the same firm
manner in which he had carried the Smoke Bill, which re-
flected honour upon him. (Hear, hear.) It was useless for
the committee to commence the inquiry with their hands
tied up. It was decided that they should neither .be at
liberty to recommend direct nor indirect taxation ; and any
person who knew anything of the metropolis must be aware
that it would not submit to additional imposts. Unless the
house and the Government were prepared to deal with the
question in a better spirit, they ought not to touch it at all,
it would be more judicious to allow the Corporation Bill,
like many other measures to go adrift. (Hear, hear.)
Lord FERMOY said the report of the committee could
not be binding on any person and unless they were perfectly
untrammeled no good result could follow from their labours.
The amendment was then negatived and the motion

agreed to.

MEDICAL RELIEF BILL.
The order for the second reading of this bill was dis•

charged.

INNKEEPERS' LIABILITY.
This bill was read a second time.
AGGRAVATED ASSAULTS.
This bill went through committee pro forma, with
amendments.
The house then adjourned.

L 0 UNTIR Y MARKETS.

LIVERPOOL-MAY 4.

We had a very thin attendance at this day's market, and
the consumptive demand for wheat is still only on a mode-
rate scale ; prices at Monday's currencies in the few sales
made. Flour neglected. Oats were in fair request, at full
prices, but oatmeal has been without animation at barely
late rates. Beans, peas, and barley as before. Indian
corn slightly lower compared with Friday's currencies.