The Sun.
London, England, 1859-12-10 00:00:00

BELGIUM.

DEPUTATION TO LORD PALMERSTON.

Yesterday deputations from the parishes of Mary-
lebonc and Paddington waitedupon Lord Palmerston
et his residence in Piccadilly, for the purpose of
calling his lordship's attention to the wholesale de-
struction of plants in Hyde-park, and to urge his
lordship to exercise his authority to put a stop to
the same.

Mr. SODEN said the public considered a great
wrong had been 'perpetrated towards them. Under
the chief commissionershin of Sir B. Hall, now
Lord Llanover, great improvements had been
made in Hyde-park by laying down new walks
and planting shrubs, mixed with flowers, and the
public were greatly gratified with the result.
They were now, however, astonished and annoyed
to find that the whole of these shrubs and flowers
had been removed from the walks between the
Marble Arch and Stanhope-gate, and in the Green-
park, between the entrances at Hyde-park-corner
and Devonshire-house. They appealed to his lord-
ship to order the restoration of what had been, as
they considered, wantonly destroyed.
Professor MARKS said the entire metropolitan
public took a deep interest in the matter, because a
feeling prevailed that the rights of the working
classes had been sacrificed to the selfishness of a
class, between whom and the labouring population
good-will should prevail. In 1857 the House of
Commons granted £l,OOO, and the further sum of
£350 for making new roads and planting walks in
Hyde-park, and then the first commissioner ear-
nestly carried out the work. That such improve-
ment had the approval of the Queen was evident,
as when Sir B. Hall mentioned to her Majesty that
he desired to plant trees but could not get a supply,
the Queen unhesitatingly assigned to him for that
purpose a large portion of land near Kew Palace to
be used as a nursery. The shrubs were duly
planted, but had, it appeared, become an eyesore to
some of the inhabitants of Park-lane, who ima-
gined that they would obstruct their view. Sir
B. Hall was applied to remove the trees, but re-
fused. The same attempt was made with Lord
John Manners, with the like result : but he feared,
in consequence of the illness of the present Chief
Commissioner, the administration of the office
had been induced to comply with this unreason-
able request. Mr. Mann's proposal to plant the
present vacant place with flowers in the spring
was evidently an afterthought, and contrary to
taste. He urged his lordship, as a popular minister,
not to suffer the working classes to go to the wall.
Lord PALMERSTON said he had just received a
report from the Office of Works, in which it was
denied that what had been done had been in con-
sequence of any representation from persons in
Park-lane, but that the borders of the walks referred
to were intended as a nursery. That what had been
done was to take away some shrubs which did not
flourish very well, and next year it was intended
to put flowers. Plants that flowered in spring and
summer would not stand the winter, and there was
a difficulty. He certainly, however, thought that
stripping the ground entirely of shrubs and flowers
was not desirable.
Mr. DICKENSON said since Sir B. Hall had left
office the shrubs had been shamefully neglected.
He said this as a visitor to the park daily. Another
wrong was the removal of the seats placed in the
park for the convenience of the public when Sir B.
Hall was chief commissioner, which were only re-
placed after strong public remonstrance.
Lord PALMERSTON remarked that he had heard
of the subject for the first time from the deputation.
He would, however, make it his business to inquire
into it, and see what was best to be done.

The Belgian Chamber of Representatives, at its
sitting of Thursday, commenced the discussion of
the Budget of Ways and Means for 1860. M. Van-
denpeereboom called on the Government to reduce
the postage to a uniform charge of 10c. for the
whole country: M. Vermeire recommended the
Government to bring in a bill regulating the tariffs
on railways throughout the whole country accord-
ing to legal distances. After some observations
from MM. Dumortier and Moncheur, the general
discussion was adjourned. •

THE METROPOLITAN GAS QUESTION,

Yesterday a deputation from the Metropolitan
gas companies waited upon the President of the
Board of Trade and the Home Secretary, to give
explanations in reply to the statements of the com-
mittee of delegates, and to put the Government its
possession of the grounds upon which they resisted
the demands of the consumers. Alderman Salo-

mons, M.P., Mr. F. Russell, M.P., and Mr. S.
Butler, M.P., attended the deputation by invita-

lon.

Mr. BURKE, of the Imperial Gas Light Com-
pany, stated the case to the President of the Board
of Trade, expressing on the part of the companies
a desire simply to place the Government in pos-
session of the facts of the case, and then to leave it
in their hands to deal with it as they might think
fit. The object of the delegates was, as far as he
could infer, to induce the Government to take up
the bill of which they had given notice, in order
that they might relieve themselves from
the expense of conducting it, and if legislation
was to take place, those he represented would con-
sider the matter better in the hands of the Govern-

ment than in the hands of those gentlemen who
were promoting the bill. It was not only inconve-
nient, but fraug4ht with considerable danger that
consumers should themselves originate a bill to alter
Acts of Parliament on the faith of which indivi-

duals had embarked their capital. Gas companies
when they possessed a monopoly had hold it with
the concurrence of the vestries, and it was an ad-
vantage to the consumer, because it enabled the
company to supply the gas at a cheaper rate than
they would be able to do, if put to the expense of
competition. Where competition existed the com-
plaint of extravagant charge was just; but where
it did not exist, the price was as low as it possibly
could be, and if the consumers succeeded in creat-
ing competition the result would be that gas com-
panies would have to increase their price. The
delegates had talked about the excessive exactions
of the unrestrained monopoly of gas companies, but
he would maintain that every public lamp was paid
for at too low a rate. With regard to the illumi-
nating power, the Post-office had expressed satis-
faction with the supply, and he did not hear any
complaints from other quarters. The bill prepared
by the delegates was of such a nature that the com-
panies could not assent to it, but if the Government
thought legislation necessary, they had every con-
fidence that they would be treated with justice and
fairness.
Mr. HAMMACK, Chairman of the Ratcliff Com-
pany, said that company had charged only 4s. 6d.
for their gas, though they had the monopoly of the
supply, and were entitled by Act of Parliament to

charge ss.
Mr. M. GIBSON said he had listened with atten-
tion to the statement of Mr. Burke, but it was ne-
cessary to digest the matter, so much had been said
on both sides, before a decision had been come to.
It should receive the fullest consideration, and no
decision would be come to without due attention
being given to the interests of both parties.
The deputation, having thanked the right hon.
gentleman, proceeded to the Home-office, where
they were received by the Right Hon. Sir George
Cornewall Lewis.

DESTRUCTION OF THE TREES AND one side or the other ; but if ' it should appear that
SHRUBS IN THE PARKS. any intermediate arrangement could be come to, he
should have no objection to ask the opposite party
—those who represented the consumers—whether
they would be willing to make any proposal to the
companies, which would be something less than to
eontended for in their bill; and if such proposal
were placed in the hands of the Government for
their consideration, they would have no objection
to communicate it to the companies for their opinion
upon it. He threw out this suggestion. If it were
a course which they thought might by possibility
lead to any result, he should have no objection to.
communicate again with the gentlemen who waited
upon him last week. But if they were disposed of
stand upon their rights, and enter upon a war °
select committees, he had nothing to do but to let
matters take their course.
Mr. BURKE thanked the right hon. gentleman for
his suggestion, which he intimated would be accepted
by the companies.
The deputation then withdrew.
•

WILLS AND BEQUESTS.

The will and codicil of• the Right Hon. Edwaid,all'
Jervis Viscount St. Vincent, of Meaford Hai;
Stone, Stafford, were proved in the principal Regis-
try of the Court of Probate, on the 22d of Nevem'
ber, by the Hon. Mary Anne Dyce Sombre, the
daughter, and the Hon. Edward Swynfen Jervis'
the son, the executors. The personalty was
sworaunder £25,000. He has bequeathed to his °°ll
Edward the vase presented to him by the Ast°ll
tenantry, to be held as an heirloom with the Astl
Hall estate, together with four silver dishes.an
covers with the Earl's crest, the bust of the Ist:
Earl St.. Vincent, and allows him to meleee;
selection of furniture from Meaford Hall. Lea!
to his daughter, Mrs. Dyce Sombre, for her 14s,
the portrait of himself presented to him
his kind neighbours and friends ; and to
grandson, the present Viscount, as heir-
with the Meaford Hall estate ; and 'coed
to his said daughter his horses, doge, an
other domestic animals, in confidence that
will not kill them so long as they can enjoy th,_°ll/1:0
selves. All his letters, papers, fossils, and seas 7,0
leaves to his son Edward, and daughter, Mrs. D 1 t
Sombre. He bequeaths his old real china! Weill
a large dish having the arms thereon, to his the
son, daughter, and grandson, as well as all his
wines and liquors, to divide amongst them.
daughter Maria, the wife of Dr. George vvll7
M.D., he leaves £4OO a-year, and one-half to,
husband should he survive her. His son Ed*
and his two daughters, Mary Anne and Maria, 11151/
make a selection from his library. There are lola
specific and pecuniary legacies to his famili $ a
friends. The residue of the furniture, plate, °I,
other effects at Yeaford Hall he leaves to his grallaia
son, the present Viscount; and:devises:to his. $4O
grandson his real estates at Stone, except such Pfd,
as he has left by the codicil to his son Edward,
whom he has appointed residuary legatee of b°
the real and personal estates. of
The will and codicil of Henry Raphael, V51."26,
Tavistock-square, was proved in London on °Ysro•
by three of the executors—John Raphael, the ',B,
they, Abraham Nathan Myers, of Finsbury-PLla:ef,
and Solomon Hyam Tabor—Henry Lewis Ralw:ity
the nephew, having renounced. The persc)n-d to
was sworn under £lOO,OOO. lie has bequeathe se,
his wife the interest of £lO,OOO, with the 13°,1,0,
hold furniture and effects, and a portion of the,Plefc
with an immediate legacy of £500; and by °eB,
legacies to his brothers, sisters, nephews, and 111:•000
immediate and reversionary. Has left instreca.oo
with his executors to give to charitable and relingiali.
institutions a sum of £3OO, but not to exceed 17„°,0,
neas to any one, and to give 19 guineas to thePlio
to be at their discretion. The residue ,
property he leaves to his brother, John Rap; tio
The will was made in December, 1858, an
codicil on the 16th of March, 1859, che,
The will of William James Felix Tolletalia is
Esq., late of Ham House, Surrey, was pr°3l,olo
le
London by his uncle, the Hon. Frederick r.
Tollemache, M.P. for Grantham, and the,,.01-
Jacob Montague Mason, M.A., Rector of Siii"sie
to
loughby, Lincoln, the joint executors, wh° Deft
convert his estates, real and personal, into oti
the proceeds to be invested, and the dividella°Tol.
interest paid to his aunt, Lady Frances Ealig chiP
lemache, for her life, and at her decease to ble sof.
dren of his sister Caroline, the wife of theidelf
Ralph William Lionel Tollemache, B.A. Absgt44.l-600'
leaves to each of his executors a legacy 0. "00
The personalty was sworn under 1,10,000;,00
will is dated Jan. 6, 1858.—Illustrated
News.

Mr. BURKE having recapitulated the points of
his previous address,
Sir G. LEWIS asked -whether the companies dis•
puted the alleged analogy between this case and
that of the water supply, which was regulated by
the Government.
Mr. BURKE denied that there was any analogy
between the two cases. The water questicn was a
sanitary question which the Government took in
hand in consequence of public complaints respecting
the supply, and there was also this difference, that
when competition between the water companies
ceased the price of the supply was raised.
Sir G. LEWIS asked whether the companies ob-
jected to the principle that there should be a fixed
maximum charge, and whether it was denied that
the quality of their gas was bad ?
Mr. BURKE said the vestries were seeking not
only to limit the charge but to increase the illu-
minating power. He denied that the present price
was too high or the quality bad, and remarked that
if the grievances of which the vestries complainel
had really exisited they had an opportunity of
stating their cave last session, when the City Gas
Bill was before the house. The illuminating power
was fixed by act of Parliament in 1854, and the
companies contended that they had supplied up to
that standard. With regard to the question of
monopoly, the company he represented and several
others had always enjoyed a monopoly, but they
were all subject to the Gas Consolidation Act, and
the limitation of the dividend to 10 per cent.
afforded sufficient protection for the consumer. The
average dividends did not exceed 5 per cent., and
no one company reached the maximum. Companies
were not established for the purpose of competition ;
" districting" was recommended by Sir Robert Peel,
and the acts of the Chartered, Imperial, and Rat-
cliff Companies were granted on the understanding
that there should be no interference with the dis-
tricts occupied by other companies, so that Parlia-
ment had legislated on the principle of districting.
Sir G. LEWIS said—Perhaps if there we re a
general rule of Government, it was that they did not
interfere in local legislation—they have abstained
from using their influence one way or another; and
even private bills are discussed in the house, which
when not very often the case, it was generally with
reluctance and a good deal of reserve that they took
part in the discussion. No doubt there was some-
thing peculiar in the state of the metropolis, arising
from the absence of the necessary funds and other
causes, which prevented them from stating their
case fairly before committees ; but he thought that
what had been stated showed that if there was to be
any litigious action, the only course would be to
appoint another select committee of inquiry, or the
parties could be heard before a private bill com-
mittee. The question had not arrived at such a
stage as would justify Government in interferirg
is an authoritative manner by seeking to influence

rye
FROME.—On Monday Mr. Donald Nicol.l'
late representative of this borough, was entertain; 00e,
public dinner given by the constituency, and at cited'
time a valuable service of plate, with an address eelltho
the highest terms of eulogium, was presented to
0„ 000
M.P. by the working men of Frome, their
Shull
pence having provided the necessary funds. 00017
THE MIDDLE-LEVEL SEWER.—The Pic
branch extends from the main line at the junction role
road and Theobald's-road, along Bedford-row, 33,,tostilelf
street, Holborn (for a short distance), and Giee,t leeg:
Lincoln's-inn-fields, north side, Great Queenearre„,e;eodiei,'
acre, Cranbourne-street, Coventry-street, and -Let of Ceje
to Half Moon-street, and along that street and 14,1„,th eye
zon-street to the corner of Chesterfield-street, a ~rjocet„:l
mile 5,240 feet. For the greater portion of this "elf y-stt.74
8,820 feet, ending near the point where Berk ells
joins Piccadilly, the sewer will be executed e
through the blue clay.—Builder. off th
THE TURNOUT AT ROCHDALE.--A IneetinViite:
mechanics who had turned out against a reductild at re
at the machine shop of Alderman Tatham vias lrat leasAls
Navigation Inn, Rochdale, on Thursday, when „,"
ported that an amicable arrangement had been ;n, ag`yese
Mr. Tatham, and that in consequence it had 1-4.3 erorltJ
that all the hands on strike should return to thor
terday (Friday) morning. that
.
THE WESTMINSTER PALACE HOTED.-
ueldingl- cot th-
the strike is over the works at this large h „res „elf
prosecuted with renewed vigour. There are B'r sod eelre
wards of 300 skilled artisans, foremen, la,boure'eteieneel
engaged in the various operations, included illodelPre es (
53 carpenters, 112 plasterers, 11 plumbers.,s The 0010
carvers, 60 labourers, and 42 "hawk boys? 'the fact,,,,to(
the number of plasterers and boys arises from, ere roll
the entire facings of the exterior of the strueLfileteo de'
executed in Portland cement, and when e°` bite ea ted
he
embody one of the most ornate displays of are style
velopment in the profuse French Renaissance Quit
metropolis.—Building News. IR
TVDIA' .10X
AUSTRALIAN HORSE TRADE bean
h sve
readers are aware that unconnected efforts to or 00,
from time to time by settlers in this coleq. at) s
trade in horses with the presidencies of Ina'eranelleelet
the commencement of many other important pronsee
traffic, these enterprises have not been alscaletit ortree°
owing chiefly to the disasters of the voyage. a genroeter
evidence before us, in the communication eLfront ,etee
who last year took' 42 horses to Bombay, andat thus 1/%00
tion derived from the Indian newspapers, th, ~,et the .40
factory result may be avoided with care, an this eole'ee,./
trade with India may be made as valuable t a7od for
it is to New South Wales and the Cape ef
South Aurtralian Register. PAo*t
WRECK OF THE MAIL STEA.AISIIIP jeoe..oo oi
—Yesterday the official inquiry instituted her,:e"tiie 1;001
Trade, into the eircumstances connected W'',7 shiP 1;404
the Royal Mail Steam Navigation ComrPosi.lb,oflos.rrieours, tosourdtieottits
matta was resumed at the Greenwich
Mr. Traill, police magistrate, and Captain
assessor. Mr. O'Dowd conducted the caserlf?retlyilkop,
Trade ; and Mr. Coxwell again attended en idieecteroit tb'
Baynton ; Capt. Redman and Capt. Wilsone_e, eetaoote!
Capt. Vincent, superintendent, were presell ;01.0,14
proceedings on the part of the comPanY'AWer 1181'111J' it
modated with seats upon the bench. r stnit'ee,td
evidence, which occupied nine hours, M• e t
the mass of evidence which had been eelleeeel-ladi9fth°74lollo.oi
would necessarily take some time before ne
uld 06/ ief(
his report to the Board of Trade; butleeve.„4° sofeturel et;
thought it would be his duty to take
to not co
the case. In doing so, however, he she eecoe in
sider the evidence which had been P nit*
Baynton's favour. The Court then r?,;,se:unrjesraaatleeeitoa:ifeeiCe
ALL ENGLAND ELEVEN.—On 11%1..1.00 100 ,
five of the twelve cricketers who have
18
America wore entertained at a public in the
Arms, Godalming, by the lovers of the sP"'s. jealnes'es
bourhood. The invited guests were geseusr fore!
H. Stephenson, Cat:fern, J. Lillywhite, a h
ber, ei4aol tee
Wroden, the other south of England mein
eeee large of of es.
to attend through illness. There was tel voup""poete7s 0;0
spectable assenlbly, many of the hel
the fell°Nill 'el °sr.'
game in the county being present, and
the wee gesso
svere
e'ecasiansal.- :I°S
men belonging to the Surrey Club
of H. Marshall, Esq., the chairman and CO), the teldf
Mortlock, Mudie, Sewell, Griffith, %.,,repoeloe,heao,
chairman in a highly eulogistio eeenree
e_.e,„setleen _4 1311,-be
of the evening, and Mr. Julius Cwss. rilciet;gee kide
of the six champions. Capt. dotedMeriae ides of lv,:tleipv°,.
perity to the Surrey Club," s.ctp,, bap wstroo,os.
France, and suggested that the cie ir!te crib .of
superior to the cannon ball for use berir."'netent.botees
with theirnn enoi
posingshould
anbexatt
'r '0
the other side of the channel. DEA.Te. .atete Jose
day the body of a well-dressed man 4:ogeee, Di'Lon Ono AICLERGYMAN FROZEN TO w sound k A,
Wood, in the neighbourhood of „Ito eineVWer
Maxwell's gamekeepers. The WO udo, mintooti
tlYeewiar. .
00,46
fled as that of the Rev. Dugald has wseoesseein
established church, Oban. Mr• 13?ursity of his el so
years of age, and studied at the neweeisoes hY lee f.. 1,11,
rose from the ranks of the working teedeetree,..d pref;,-, el
domitable perseverance and toiling ee.
studen-/ litechsTeelft
successful, because a hard-workiugnd in this
welanohoe
to his excessive study at college'b: traced h'
brooml oe
e
every duty then and since, may 4 doubt wasrein. at ° 0
end, which there is little reason tewr b 004000
by the hallucinations of an over, :ro, hat woe
01'0,01;
ordained to the pastorate of the
ith ncl_loetttecennot eelY for ,
months ago, and preac‘hes
Deere Lueanlll
ae t° Ye. St,tl4; IL:
'etinhteanwl
boruteigtohtsowmeeekesxtseilnictem'
c'iange of air, and resided WittL
t oUt fOr 5..6 hort 1
ail rn by din ti ye
forenoon, the 21th ult., he weeit
et seeir was f°llll/3
he never returned, and he veta___ his corpse, see_ of
tions until Thursclay„lase bad co
ecenbeientioe_tseisoe
wood. A bottle, which
.roir"t tiittio;
beside hint ; and, from t 7
p° 't,ii„t that la°
ronf
bofo di
its
ateo
contents—another ot
sk_s 'loan\
ov
elt r 0
.1 h„toeuagar swtniifsadeosensfo3.o.:3lsl.oo
he usually never took spioutsurn to
c'ot
cheque for a considerabl
n itcs. '1 here were nomeraksef vdii`;leenfcr:outr,entiPtiasa:e e°necipeiSo
teat it is almost certain In_
where he wasadiothe., so „oe
cold. How he came to ee his greit
lose h•net/Itteee
gow. He
was
r be much reel°
melancholy
ew
_oorier.
A flock and frlends.-6 rev c
sGalya.s His parents arees alive,eeted abnyeall weitetedi
by vt,..0