The Sun.
London, England, 1860-08-11 00:00:00

SUPPLY.

The house went into committee of supply.
On the vote of £100,440 for the maintenance of the
Royal parks,

Colonel DUNNE said that he drew the attention of the
house yesterday to the enormous taxation for purely metro-
politan.purposes. It was too late this session to bring the
matter before the house, but he gave notice that next ses-
sion he would do so. In the meantime he would move that
the vote be reduced by £lB,OOO.

Sir J. SHELLEY referred to the observations of the
First CommiSsioner of Works yesterday, who blamed hon.
members who had differed from him in regard to the Ride
in Kensington-gardens, and he accused these hon. members
for the part they took in the agitation on this subject, of
being influenced by a desire of popularity. He had also to
complain of the attack which the hon. member had made
on the vestries of the metropolitan parishes in reference to
this matter. Now, from the position in which the metro-
polis was placed, the vestries were the guardians of the
public interest. He did not consider that in those remarks
the right hon. gentleman was likely to acquire much popu-
larity for himself or for the Government of which he was a
member. He very much doubted whether the right hon.
gentleman, who was cap-in-hand to the Town Council of
Hertford, would treat the expression of an opinion
from the constituency of that town, which had
the .honour to return him to Parliament, with
so much disregard. He denied that the agitation in the
metropolis on this subject was one-sided, for the aristocratic
vestry of St. George's had memorialised against the altera-
tions in the gardens, which they called " Cowper's Folly."
(Laughter.) He also adverted to the mode in which memo-
rials in favour of the alteration in the gardens had been got
up, and read an advertisement which appeared in the Times
addressed to persons who wished to sign a memorial to the
Chief Commissioner of Works on the subject. The adver-
tisement stated where the memorial was lying, and said
if it were inconvenient to persons to attend there they
might forward their cards or signatures by post. He
strongly protested against signatures obtained in such a
manner. With respect to the ride itself, if it was to ho a
continuation of Rotten-row it must be widened to a consi-
derable extent, and he would ask the right hon. gentleman
if he considered that a gravel road of such width would be
an improvement to Kensington-gardens. And yet in
order to render it a eafe resort for equestrians it must be so
widened, He thoUght, also, that they should have some
explanation respecting the result realised by the sum of
£17,1100 voted for the Serpentine. He saw on the grounds
fountains without water—or figures holding water cans—
and unless the water was made to ascend it could not flow
through these cans. He would further wish for some state-
ment as related to the suth of £lB,OOO for the drainage of
Richmond-park.

Mr. B. COCHRANE expressed a hope that Storey's
Gate would be thrown open, and strongly condemnied the
people generally being taxed to so large an extent for me-
tropolitan purposes.
After some remarks from Mr. SMITH and Mr. BAnnow,

Mr. AYRTON said he would prefer seeing the matter
placed in the hands of some metropolitan body, who would
be the beet able to manage these parks, and would relieve