The Sun.
London, England, 1858-07-16 00:00:00

AND DUBLIN POLICE BILL.

In answer to Mr. WILSON and Colonel GREYILLN,

Lord NAAS said that it was intended to proceed with
the Dublin Police Bill as soon as possible. With regard
to the Clerk of Petty Sessions Bill, he had consulted the
highest authority, and found that if he moved the preli-
minary resolution in committee of the whole house, and
supposing that resolution was carried, they recommitted
the bill and introduced a clause founded on that resolu-
tion, it would be sufficient, and he would, therefore, now
give notice to that effect.
THE PURIFICATION OF THE THAMES.,
The CHANCELLOR of the EICHEQUER—I took
the liberty of moving that the orders of the day be post
poned in order that I might bring under the attention
of the house a bill, the object of which is to purify the
river Thames. The condition of the Waters of that river
has fallen upon the inhabitants of this metropolis as an
unexpected calamity ; but I believe there has always
been a minority in the community which has expected
the catastrophe that has recently occurred ; and I find
that several years back, when this house, in pursuit of
health, determined that the sewage of the metropolis
Val* he diverted to the waters of the Thames, there
were some persons of great authority on such matters
who foresaw the consequences of that measure. All that
they then predicted has been more than fulfilled. That
noble river, which was long the pride and joy of Engli,h•
men, which has hitherto been associated with the noblest
feats of our commerce and the most beautiful passages
of our poetry, has really become a Stygian pool, reeking
with inevitable and intolerable horrors. The public
health is at stake_; almost all living things that existed
in the waters of the Thames have disappeared or been
destroyed ; a very natural fear has arisen that living
beings upon its banks may share the same fate ; there
is a pervading apprehension of pestilence iu this great
city ; and I am sure I am only taking a step that will
have been anticipated when I ask for leave to introduce
a bill which will attempt—and I trust the attempt will
be successful —to terminate a state of affairs so unsatis-
factory and so dangerous. (Hear, hoar.) The question
arises,—" If this be your object, what is the quarter
from which a remedy is to be provided ? Where are we to
Zed the tucans., and where tha machintry, for attaining
these remedial results ?" In fact, the question at once
ariatisi,whieb has been asked by everybody in this city
during the last few weeks—" Is tkis a local or a national
litteitose ?" (Hear, bear.) Now, at the first glance
it certainly does appear that the inhabitants of a city
should be responsible for the purity of the river that
washes its walls ; but then it is urged, aid no doubt
with considerable force, that the position of . the city„
of London is of a very pecu'iar character. It- is
not merely a city in her Majesty's domieiong, hut it
is the, metropolis of her Maj?.sty's dorninione. It is
a city of paramount importance. It is said that hee
the Court is present ; here the Parliament holds its sit-
tings ; here are the halls of justice ; here is the centre of
administration ; and upon these grounds it is alleged that
in a city which includes so many national interests, and
where so many national institutions exist, the ineen.
venienciea which are experienced should be remedied at
the national expense. It is alleged, however, on the
other hand, that the very circumstances which are ad-
duced to substantiate a claim on behalf of this afflicted
metropolis to assistance from the national resources