Star.
London, England, 1828-07-09 00:00:00

THE POOR LAWS.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE STAR.
The article on the Poor Laws, in the new Number of
'the Edinburgh Rrview, contains some valuable sugges-
tions on the means of checking The rapid growth of
pauperism in this country. The evil is indeed one
which seems to require the instant attention of Govern-
ment; particularly with regatd to the. influx of Irish
paupers. So long as they can traopport themselves for
sixpence to Liverpool and Glasgow, and the wages in;
England are 20d. while those in Ireland are hut' 51'
a day—we must continue the prey of these person‘, un-
less immediate measures are taken to avert the danger.
Whether Mr. Wri.storilioirrom's- plan will .be famed
into effect next Sessicr, or at. all, seems problematical.
But, in the mean time, I fully concur in the sugge,tion
of the Reviewer, that a law should be enacted to pre-
vent any individual coming from Ireland to Great Bri-
tain without a passport ; and that the Custom House
officers should be instructed to refuse passports to all
who cannot prove drat they belong to some other class
than that qt labourers. Such a measure is really re-
glared in justice to our own poor. Of the effects,
in a moral point of view, little need .be said to show
that they must- be extremely pernicious to our own po-
pulation; the late horrible affair ;at Hendon is not the
first ti the kind with which the Irish haymakers are
chargeable. Yours. &c. A. B.

PUBLIC. BUILIANGS.
We have now-before us the Report of the Select Com.
mittee appointed to inquire into the state of the PUblie
Buildings in the Department of the Office of Waiki,
The Report consists of tiller pans—the first relating
to the constitution-of the-Beard of Works; the second
to the buildings which have. been erected under its aii•
perintendence; and the third to the improvement which
ought to be made in the mode of authorising and con.
ducting public works. •
Three Architects and a Surveyor General, it appears,
contiitdte the Board--at least that part of it to which
the erection of new buildings, or alterations in uld, are
entrusted. • A salary of 5001. is assigned to each of the
former, with a commission on all new buildings under
their direction of Si. per cent. instead of 51. which is the
usual charge of malteds ; but on reference to the evi-
dence respecting Buckingham Palace and Windsor
'Castle. we perceive that the full commission. of 51, per
centj'isseceived by them, although they are, as in all
other cases. relieved from the expense of clerks of the
•vairke. and the trouble of making out the accounts and
bills.of the workmen. •
In commenting, on the public buildings of the Me
tropolis. the Committee state that " they observe with
regret that the taste and style of some of the public
edifices do not indicate !itch a state of improvement. as
might haie been desired and expected trot the in-
creased. oppor.unities which have been afforded ".and,
further on, that 4. the Council' Office should have been
muds higher if taste only were consulted,' and that
under whatever direction the work may have proceeded,
there cantor wilt of* opinion el the sammac•itselt." . •
. With teered to the siltenations which are now making
in his Aldie..te. Palace. in St. James's Park. it is stated
that they lot cost tub leas a sun than 50,0001. and the
only excuse for the rrecei ty rf incurring this, ewe'
expense. is. tTiat .4 Mr. NASU was not at first aware that
the effect of the two .detacherl three-windoWed hon...
-"mold have been-so had r" and with regard to the dome.
that, was 'lMo:tirade that it is visible -from the
Park side, ss..hioi was not intended by him, nor was hi
aware that it would have been seen, emit as belonging
exclusively to the garden front." • • •
f ;twain. " encircled aith a 'peristyle. and en.
fetid with-.s cap and donne," which was intended to be
erected in Waterleo-place, is condemned by the Com.'
!trios ~as not likehr to be! ornamental;" and a spacious
and handsome flight of steps,in the centre of the terrace
leadinginto the Moll recommended in its stead, as "
very general accommodation, and an appropriate ter-
mination of that fine opening."
The unnecessarily large expense of 42,0001. incurred'
in building and furnislung an official residence for the
Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs is observed upon
in terms. of reprobation.
The defects of the present-system of management are
ittti ibeted to 4. want of responsibility," 44 want of cram=
peteocy to slciee,' and .4 want of choice and
;" and the' Committee'recommend as the proper
1.. That no public. buildings should be hereafter erected, nor any
considerable alterations iu the structure of any of the existing, build=
trigs be adopted, except upon directions given by the Lords of the
Treasury, and founded upon Minutes of that Board; and that the
plans and estimates far all suck nevi buildings. or alteratiOns of
existing buildings, spould be signed by at least three Lord,. of the
Treasury, and be preserved in the records of that Office.
That a commission, consisting of five persons, two of whops
at least should be Privy Councillots, and holding sorne.respossible
offices, should be appointed by his Majesty to act as a Council
without salary, to.advise the flitard of Treasury upon all designs and
plans for the erection or considerable akeradeo of public buildings.
" That previously to the decision.of the Board pf Treasury oat
any designs, plans, or estimates, to Designed and recorded by thew,
as before suggested, the opinions and recommendations of Chit'
Council fofpublic buildings to be to appointed, shsuld be laid. hi
writing before the Board, and should be annexed to the plans and
estimates approved of and recorded at the Treasury.".
These. may. be good and wholesome regulations; bit,
as the Committee very &whir .admit, so much will
always depend upon the qualifications of the persons at
the head of any department, that it becomes extremely.
difficult to contrive, any regulations which, can be con-
fidently relied Oti for accomplishing the.desired object
We would recommend competition as the most proper'
mode of procuring the. construction of public works
with proper elegance and due adaptation; and a strict
guard, on the part of the House of Commons, over the
public' purse and the public funds, as the best preserva;
tion against unnecessary buildings and unnecessary ea-
penditure..
•

Iris the intention of Mr.GOULBURN tOloring fornar6
the Budget oniFriday. 43y Wed'lttkit) Test 'it Is .tts
posed the House will be able so adjourn until .the it
asainder of the business is passed through the 5.0:,11.,
which case tht prurugation NiU pr tiug place o!
the :uccceling suay ur '2ues_ay.