The Sun.
London, England, 1866-11-10 00:00:00

Proposed Extension of Victoria-park.

Yesterday a deputation, consisting of Mr. John
Holms, Dr. H. Black, Messrs. John P. G. Gow-
land (churchwarden of Hackney), Mark Coles, G.
Dornbusch, Crompton, and Marshall, waited upon
Lord John Manners, on behalf of a society lately
formed for the preservation and extension of Vic-
toria-park. The deputation was introduced by Mr.
Plummer.

Mr. JOHN Hums stated that the deputation
sought to obtain his lordship's assistance in the pre-
servation of Victoria-park, by preventing the fur-
ther erection of buildings on the north side, and by
favouring the extension of the park by adding it to
the Hackney-marshes, of 345 acres, the downs of
50 acres, the common of 30 acres, and London-
fields of 27 acres, which make, with the present area
oo f Victoria-park
acres.
The(2o
Nest-end
a cres a spacious park area
f 7,
parks, including
Kensington-gardens and Battersea-park, amount
to 1,500 acres, which gives 500 acres of park to
every 766,000 inhabitants—so that the proposals of
the deputation would only place the inhabitants of
the East-end on a par with those of the West-
end. In the East-end there is a great deal of
fresh air and open spaces, owing to the vast
population there being
_choked with poisonous or
polluting factories. As the old antagonists of the
anies—were moving
Hamlets, who were
Va
giacitoo iat
h- po apr
oko—p
lteh eo f gtha
es
TcooNmepr
grateful to his lordship for his former support, ap-
pealed to the Government, through him, not to permit
the occupation of ground of so much importance to
the public health. The overseer of Hackney has re-
ported upon the importance of open spaces being se-
cured for the people before the current of speculation,
now set in, sweeps all away. The society of which
Mr. Holms was president was preparing plans and
details of ownership of property, in order to submit
to his lordship, as the people of the Tower Ham-
lets were determined to contest with the gas
companies the question of breathing places for the
population there.
Dr. BLACK explained, in answer to a question by
Lord J. Manners, that it was the intention of the
society represented by Mr. Holrus aid the deputa-
tion to promote the removal of the property lying
between the marshes and the park, and make the
whole into an enlarged park. The people of the
East-end nad set their faces against any further en-
croachment of gas companies.
Mr. GOWLAND said there was money lying in the
Bank of England, produce of public land, which.
might be available for park extension. The gas
companies were all-powerful, and the people feared
them, and were jealous of their parks.

Mr. M. COLES and Mr. MARSHALL corroborated
Mr. Holms's representations as to the packed con-
dition of the population so justly seeking protection
at his lordship's hands.
Lord J. MANNERS made several very pertinent in-
quiries as to whether the deputation had matured
theirzown proposals. For himself, he, was certainly
anxious, as far as might lie in his power, to promote
the public health and convenience of the people. It
struck him, however, that the deputation went far
beyond the preservation of Victoria-park; they pro-
posed the erection of a new park. He did not think
the House of Commons would furnish funds for that,
but would expect metropolitan funds to provide for
any future park. Had the deputation seen the Me-
tropolitan Board? Did not the proposal before him
rather lie with that body to consider ? No gas com-
panies had been to him ; indeed were not required
to give notice to his office of their proceedings. He
should have pleasure in giving such attention as lay
within his province to any plans they might wish
to lay before him.
Mr. HOLMS tendered several explanations, and
having thanked his lordship for his courtesy in re-
ceiving the deputation, they withdrew.

STRIKE AT TIIE M XNCIIESTER GASWORKS.—On
Thursday the workmen employed at the gasworks in Man-
chester struck for an advance of 6d. per day in their wages.
Up to the present time their wages have been 4s. 6d. per
day. They are the servants of tho corporation, who have
realised in past times between £30,000 and £lO,OOO per
annum, the money going mainly to a fund for effecting
improvements in the town. It appears the workmen gave
notice for an advance, but the corporation committee of
management wished them at the time to wait till the new
election of councillors haclbeen made, when the committees
are usually reconstituted. The gas committee does not
seem to have taken sufficient guarantees from the men to
hold them to such an arrangement., and hence the public
have been taken by surprise, and there is a danger of the
town being thrown into darkness these dark November
days and nights. The supply of gas is being so much
economised as to oblige industrial establishments to re-
sea to the use of candles and other means of supplying
light as best they can.