The Sun.
London, England, 1861-08-12 00:00:00

THE MEMBERS FOR MARYLEBONE
AND THEIR CONSTITUENTS.

The last meeting of the Marylebone Representa-
tive Council, prior to an adjournment for a recess of
six weeks, took place at the Marylebone Court
House on Saturday, on which occasion Mr. Harvey
Lewis, M.P., attended on behalf of himself and his
colleague, Lord Fermoy, to explain their parlia-
mentary conduct during the late session of Parlia-
ment. Mr. Ceurchwarden Filmer presided. There
was a very full attendance.
Mr. NICHOLAY moved a resolution expressive of
the thanks of the vestry of St. Marylebone to the
borough members for the great zeal and attention
they had paid to the interests of the district during
the late session of Parliament. He felt assured,
irrespective of politics, that the borough members
had faithfully and honestly discharged the duties
which had devolved upon them.
The motion was seconded, and carried unani-
mously.
Mr. H. LEWIS, M.P., who was received with
great applause, thanked the board for the confi-
dence they had expressed by their resolution in his
noble colleague and himself. His noble friend
Lord Fermoy was compelled to be absent, in order
to be with his family on a very interesting occasion.
He could speak for himself, and in doing so he be-
lieved he was also speaking for his noble colleague,
when he said they would ever be found willing to
consult the best interests of their constituents. On
the previous Tuesday he was happy to say they
had had a similar compliment paid to them by the
representative vestry of Paddington. His noble
colleague and himself had also contemplated pay-
ing a visit to the St. Pancras vestry after the
breaking up of Parliament for the session, but,
finding that body had already risen for their vaca-
tion, they would be unable to do so until after his
(Mr. Lewis's) return from the Continent. There
had been a variety of questions before Parliament
during the late session which affected the interests
of the metropolis, but there was one to which he
particularly wished to direct their notice, because
it would no doubt in the ensuing session command
a vast amount of attention, not only in Parliament
but throughout the whole metropolis. The measure
to which he referred was that relating to the
" Thames Embankment," The royal commission
upon that subject had terminated its labours, and
had recommended that the great public work of
the embankment of the Thames should be intrusted
to a royal commission, or to the Department of
Public Works. (Oh.) The Chief Commissioner of
Public Works, however, did not appear to have
any desire to take upon himself the responsibility
of that herculean task, and proposed to entrust it
to the Metropolitan Board of Works, who, it was
understood, intended to introduce some great and
comprehensive scheme relative thereto next session.
(Hear.) Whatever might be the difference of
opinion, and whatever decision might be arrived at,
they must all earnestly hope that at least no delay
would take place in carrying out that great work
in connection with the main drainage of the metro-
polis—(hear, hear)—a measure so essential to the
relief of the thoroughfares and districts of the
metropolis, as well as of the Thames itself, in a
sanitary point of view. (Hear, hear.) Bat not
only was the sanitary condition of this great
city a point to. be considered in carrying out this
stupendous work, he (Mr, Lewis) thought it
should be combined with a plan not only for
beautifying, but for relieving the overcrowded
streets of the metropolis of their enormous
traffic. Being himself a resident of the metropo-
polis he was personally interested in all these ques-
tions, and they might depend upon it that he should
not be found wanting, but that he should put his
shoulders to the wheel, in order to ensure these
works of public benefit being carried out efficiently
and promptly. (Loud cheers.) They could not
rely upon any assistance in this matter from the
provinces, as although all members of parliament
from every part of the kingdom derived advantage
from improvements in the metropolis, in which
they were located a great portion of the year, and
although all the business of the country was tran-
sacted in London, there was most extraordinary and
most unjust antipathy on the part of the provinces
and their representatives to do anything towards
the improvement of the metropolis. (Hear, hear.)
Such was not the case with regard to other metro-
politan cities on the Continent, but if the provinces
refused to contribute they ought certainly to have
no voice in the affairs of the metropolis. (Hear,
hear.) They might depend upon it that he (Mr.
Lewis), as well as his noble colleague, would resist
any attempt to interfere with local government in
reference to these metropolitan improvements.
The hon. member then retired amidst applause.