The Sun.
London, England, 1860-10-06 00:00:00

THE THAMES EMBANKMENT.

Mr. LE BRETON rose to move the resolution of
which be had given notice :
" That it be referred to the Main Drainage Committee to
consider and report as to what measures it is expedient to
take as to the proposal of carrying out the Thames Em-
bankment in connection with the Northern Low-level
Sewers; the throwing open, toll free, of Waterloo and
Southwark Bridges; and the making of a viaduct across
the Holborn valley, with power to confer with the Govern-
ment and other parties as to the provision of the necessary
funds for all or such of the above works as the board may
resolve upon undertaking."
He said that altiough the question he had to bring
for ward was of great importance it would be unne-
cessary for him to go at length into it, as every
member of the board was as well acquainted with it
as he was. He had seen the report of the committee
of the House of Commons on the Thames embank-
ment, and he could not refrain from expressing the
satisfaction and delight he experienced in reading
the evidence of their chairman, who so thoroughly
understood the question, and it reflected the highest
credit upon him. By a paragraph in that report
he found that the committee recommended that
there should be a Thames embankment, to he car-
ried out by the Metropolitan Board of Works and
the Thames Conservancy Commissioners, in eon-
junction with the low level sewer, and a roadway for
the purpose of relieving the present very crowded
thoroughfares of the metropolis. These were sub-
forward at the
ne lett tse ew,committee, ought to consider.
which he
otherthought the Main Drainage Coca_
be a doubt about
that, as in 1861 the coal duties rAi
gs
ht
to the
tehs
et iroen bo
bably for ever, and before that took place they
would expire, pro.
ecuilndg hardly brought
ought to consider whether the cost of a Thames
embankment ought not to be the first
carrying out
the duties on coals. The time too for charge upon
works for intercepting drainage was fast expiring,
December,
1663. they must be finished by the 31st
1863. It therefore became necessary that they should
early take the question of a Thames
into consideration. Then there was the throwing
open of Southwark and Waterloo-bridges toll free,
which might almost be looked upon as a necessary
consequence of a Thames embankment. All these
questions would require the greatest attention, but
he would not express any opinion then upon them,
as he should prefer that the Main Drainage Com-
mittee should confer vrith the Government or the

City of London as to the means of carrying 00
these great works, so that they might not be charged'
on the rates. Then there was the question of the
Holborn viaduct in connection with the Metropoli-
tan or underground Railway, to which, to the
credit of the Corporation of the City of London,
they had subsc-ibed £200,000. There was also a
plan for carrying a railway in connection with this
site over Ludgate hill and the river Thames, and
therefore the present was the most important time
for considering whether something could not be
done towards carrying out the Holborn viaduct.
He could not go into the details of the cost, but
would move that the subject be referred to the Main
Drainage Committee, for them to consider whether

it would be advisable that some of these schemes
should be undertaken.
Mr. CARFMAEL seconded the motion.

Mr. LEGGE thought they ought to have a special I
meeting for the consideration of these questions.
Mr. DixoN hoped that the new street in the
Commercial-road would be included in this plan, as
he looked upon that as of more value than all the
others put together.
Mr. Deputy HARRISON said they had got the re-
port of the House of Commons, in which there were
cert Fin recommendations in reference to the em-
bankment of the Thames. He thought the Board
ought to approach them in the ordinary way, and
not mix up two or three things together, which
might tend to hamper the proceedings of the com-
miltee. He wished Mr. Le Breton to confine his
reference to the Thames embarkment, and then
perhaps they might be able to do some good withit.
Mr. FREEMAN said, he believed by adopting this
motion they would be taking the subject out of
the hands of the House of Commons, with whom it
ought to rest.

Mr. ECKETT said he differed from Mr. Freeman,
for he did not think that by passing the resolution
they would be committed to carry out the works.
Mr. LE BRETON, adopting Mr. Deputy Harri-
son's suggestion, altered his resolution as follows :
" That it be referred to the Main Drainage Cemmiaee
to consider and report as to what measures it is expedient
to take as to the recommendations in the report of the
Committee of the House of Commons on the Thames em-
bankment and other improvements connected therewith,
and to report to the Board."
The resolution was put and carried unanimously,
and the Board adjourned.