The Sun.
London, England, 1866-07-10 00:00:00

SECOND READING.

The following bills were read a second time :—Hamil-
ton's Estate, Limerick and Castle Connell Railway, Lloyd's
Estates (Partition), Sheils' Almshouses Charity, Taylors'
Estate, and Troyte's Estate.

FINCHLEY-ROAD ESTATE BILL.-THREATENED
BUILDING ON HAMPSTEAD HEATH.

Mr. GOLDNEY moved the second reading of this bill,
the object of which was to enable Sir Thos. Maryon Wilson
to grant building leases on a certain portion of his pro-
perty, which ho was now prevented from doing.
Mr. H. LEWIS moved that the bill bo read a second
time that day six months. He said the father of Sir T.
M. Wilson, the present owner, devised the estates to his
son, and it appeared to be his intention to preserve Hamp-
stead-heath for the purposes of healthful recreation, as, in
the drawing out of the will of the late Sir Thomas Wilson,
he, it was fair to be supposed, had most fully con-
sidered the whole matter, as ho had made no less
than nine codicils, the Bth and 9th of which specially
and jealously guarded Hampstead-heath, because it was
clearly laid down that building leases on that part of his
property should not be granted. It was idle to say that
Hampstead-heath was not valuable for build
ing purposes ; that was admitted, but it had
always been so, because it is most desirable as a
very healthy and beautiful spot. Sir T. M. Wilson was
now seeking to do that which, by the will of his father, he
was prohibited from doing. Various attempts bad been
made under one name or another to get a bill through
Parliament, but all had most signally failed. Lord
Chief Justice Tenterden had expressed a most decided
opinion against any such power as that now sought to be
given. He expressed his opinion most decidedly against
the intention of Sir T. M. Wilson and the matter remained
quiet for 13 years, but after that another attempt was made,
and again it most signally failed. In 1853 the fifth attempt
was made, and again failure was the result, and accordingly
in 1855 a seventh bill was brought in, and after it had been
referred to the judges fur their report it was rejected by
Parliament. It might be said the public ought to purchase
the property, and he did not object to that, and he thoughtit
would be most desirable to do so, but then it ought to be
open to the public to go into the bargain with some degree
of consideration. Sir T. M. Wilson was animated with a de-
sire to get as much money as ho could, and he appeared to
be desirous to take the whole of the advantage, and let
the public have nothing. Ho thought if this bill was re-
jected there would be some security for the public taking
a more favourable position than otherwise would be the
case. As the matter at present stood, the most learned
persons who had ever graced the judicial bench had de-
cided against fir T. M. Wilson, and ho now again came
before Parliament to give him that which the present law
refused. He hoped the house would at once reject tho bill,
because then the public would enter into the negotiations
under more favourable circumstances than they would
supposing the bill received the sanction of Parliament.
Col. DUNNE said the bill did not interfere at all with
Hampstead-heath. It only gave Sir T. Wilson power of
granting
building leases on a, certain portion of his pro-
perty, which he was now prevented from doing.
Mr. B. HOPE said the question was not how many
faggot votes Sir M. Wilson might make, but whether
Hampstead-heath should be preserved or not. The heath
was as dear to London as Hyde-park itself ; it was one of
the lungs of London, and, in his opinion, the most bene-
ficial one of all. Let Sir M. Wilson come forward with a
fair offer and make himself a public benefactor. That he
refused to do, and he could not but look upon the bill as
an attempt to steal a march on the House of Commons.
He hoped the house would throw out the bill. (Hear.)
Mr. ADAIR suggested that the bill should be referred
to a commttteo up stairs. It was most unfair to oppose a
private bill on a second reading.
Mr. T. CHAMBERS said the hon. member who had
just sat down said that it was most unfair to oppose the
second reading of a private bill, but that it ought to be met
in committee. But, ho would ask, who would have a locus
standi before that committee, as the bill was opposed on
public grounds ? (Hoar hear.) Sir Thomas Wilson came
to Parliament to ask it in effect to help him, because ho
was dissatisfied with his father's will ; in other words, he
wanted the Legislature to make another codicil to
his father's will after he had been dead forty
years. (Hear, hear.) The next question that
suggested itself was, had his father made any mistake ?
had there boen any oversight in the original will ? Tho
most learned judges had decided that there bad been no
mistake of oversight, and he could not think that the
house would give him that power which the judges of the
land had refused.
The house then divided, when there appeared—
For the second reading .........................

Against it 72
Majority against the bill —7
The bill was accordingly thrown out.
NE W WRITS.

Colonel TAYLOR moved the issuing of the following
new writs :

ESSEX (North Division) in tho room of Mr. Du Cano,
who had accepted the office of Lord of the Admiralty.
SHOREHAM, in the room of Mr. S. Cave, who had ac-
cepted the offico of Vice-President of tho Board of
Trade.

The writs were ordered to issue.
ADJOURNMENT OP THE HOUSE.

Mr. HUNT moved that the house, at its rising, do ad-
journ until Monday nost. On the sitting of tho houso on
Monday it was intended to go into supply, and he
should proceed with the estimates for the Packet Service.
After that it was intended to proceed with tho Reforma-
tory Schools Bill, and the Artizans' and Labourers' Dwell-
ings Bill.

QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY.
Sir R. PEEL gave notice of his intention to put a ques-
tion to the right hon. gentleman the late Chancellor of the
Exchequer, with respect to a promise given to himself
(Sir R. Peel) and his hon. friend the member for Calne,
that a now charter should not bo given to the Queen's
University in Ireland until Parliament had had an oppor-
tunity of expressing its opinion upon it. Notwithstanding
that promise, a new charter had been conferred, and he
wished for some explanation in the matter.
THE CESSION OF VENETIA.
Mr. D. GRIFFITH made some observations on the pre-
sent state of foreign affairs, especially with respect to the
cession of Venetia to Frazee. Ito hoped that no decision
on the subject would be come to by the Foreign-office until
Parliament had had an opportunity of expressing its opi-
nion on the matter.
THAMES NAVIGATION BILL.
Mr. GIBSON moved that the house go into committee
on this bill.
Mr. AYRT ON objected to proceeding with it, as the bill
had only just been put into the hands of members, so that
no opportunity had boon given to prepare amendments to
a measure which required great modification, nor should
it be discussed in the absence of the President of thoßoard
of Trade. Ho moved the postponement of the bill till that
day week.
Mr. HENLEY urged the postponement of the measure,
and suggested that the committee be taken pro fig-llza.
Mr. M. GIBSON pointed out that the objects of the bill
had been pressed on the late Government, by whom the
measure had been introduced, and it had been carefully
considered by a select committee, and ho considered it to
be his duty to endeavour to get i'passed as soon as pos-
sible. Tho measure was important, inasmuch as, unless it
passed this session, there was every probability that the
navigation of the Thames would cease in the ensuing
winter. lle proposed that the bill should go on in com-
mittee, and proceed with clauses until some one was ob-
jected to.

Lord E. CECIL, as a member of the select committee,