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The plan so prepared by Mr. Pennethorne was based upon the following principles:

First. That with comparatively few exceptions, the vehicles passing along the embankment from Blackfriars, &c., will not seek to cross over Westminster Bridge into Lambeth, but will turn southwards or westwards, either to the Houses of Parliament, into or through Victoria Street or Birdcage Walk; and consequently that, for the reasons stated below, this plan is more convenient for the public than that recommended by the commissioners.

Secondly. That the erection of new Government offices upon the west side of King Street, and the gradual increase of traffic, especially from Pimlico Railway Station, will render necessary, either sooner or later, the removal of the two blocks of houses in Parliament Street, as shown upon the plan; and that it is therefore advisable to make the removal of those blocks form a part of a general scheme for the improvement of the present approach to the Houses of Parliament and to Victoria Street.

Thirdly. That the adoption of his plan would obviate the necessity of compensating the Crown lessees for the injury caused to their property; and that it would render it worth while for the Crown to defray the cost of forming the portion of the embankment in front of Whitehall Gardens, &c., upon the understanding that the land to he reclaimed should be added to the present gardens, upon the several lessees paying a moderate interest on the outlay during the residue of their respective leases.

Mr. Gore's report was remitted by the Treasury to the Metropolitan Board of Works. On the 20th December, 1861, the First Commissioner of Works wrote to the Treasury that, in the preparation of the Bill, he had assumed that any consequential damage that might occur to the houses erected on this part of the hereditary property of the Crown, was to be the subject of compensation, that the completeness of a great public work, intended for the embellishment of the metropolis, and for the convenience and enjoyment of the public, and defrayed at the cost of the inhabitants of the metropolis, could not rightly be sacrificed to the convenience and preferences of individuals, merely because they hold their leases under the Crown. The case of the lessees in question was heard by the Royal commission, but the commission did not adopt the suggestion made by them. On the 2nd January, 1862, the First Commissioner of Public Works communicated to the Treasury the principal features of the Thames Embankment Bill, which include the following principal features:

First. The plan recommended last year by the Royal commission is to be executed by a limited number of persons representing the Metropolitan Board of Works.

Secondly. The funds appropriated to the embankment, or arising from the sale of lands and houses acquired in connection with the embankment, are to be kept distinct from the ordinary revenues of the Metropolitan Board of Works.

Thirdly. As the foreshore to be embanked is the property of the Crown and of the Thames Conservancy, it is not to be placed at the uncontrolled discretion of the board appointed to execute the works, and the disposal of it, whether as open ground, public promenade, or terraces and streets, is to be subject to orders from the Treasury. This is intended as a security that the embellishment of the metropolis, the convenience of those going to and from the Houses of Parliament, and the interests of the Crown property, shall not be overlooked.

And on the receipt of this document the Treasury made a minute renouncing any objection, but asserting the right of the lessees to a full compensation. On the 30th January, Mr. Gore wrote to the Treasury, enclosing a memorial of the lessees against the projected works, noticing the fact that the Duke of Buccleuch had recently entered into an agreement with him, in con sequence of which the duke had expended a very large sum in the rebuilding of Montague House. Mr. Gore suggested that the bill should be amended so as to reserve absolutely to the Crown the foreshore; to provide that the Crown's right to one-third of the proceeds of the residue of the foreshore now reserved to the Crown shall be valued by two arbitrators, and the insertion of provisions in the bill for the protection of the Crown frontage during the progress or after completion of the works.

On the 26th March, 1862, the First Commissioner of Works submitted to the treasury the principles upon which he proposed to have the clauses framed for dealing with the rights of the Crown and the Crown lessees.

1. With regard to the foreshore abutting on Crown land between Richmond Terrace and the boundary of the Crown property near Scotland Yard, I propose-That the site of the embankment, and roads and footways, shall be vested in the Metropolitan Board of Works. That the land to be reclaimed between the embankment and the existing shore shall be filled up, levelled, and fenced by the Metropolitan Board, and be declared to be part and parcel of the hereditary possessions of the Crown discharged of all claims and demands. That the lessees shall have the option of taking leases from the Crown of the reclaimed land in front of their respective tenements, for terms co-extensive with their present leases. The Crown will thus be preserved from any claim for the maintenance and repair of the embankment and its appendages, and will acquire property of an amount far greater than the amount of any deterioration which could occur from the substitution of a highway on land in the place where a highway by water now exists.

2. With regard to the foreshore in front of Somerset House and of the Board of Control, I propose that the reclaimed land between the embankment and the existing shore having been made by the Metropolitan Board, shall be declared to be part and parcel of the sites of Somerset House and the Board of Control respectively, so as to avoid the difficult questions that might be raised as to the legal ownership of those premises.

3. With regard to the foreshore under the charge of the Thames Con

servancy Board, I propose that the embankment and roads be vested in the Metropolitan Board, and that the value of the rights of the Crown to onethird of the proceeds of the foreshore between the embankment and the existing shore be ascertained by arbitration and paid to the Crown.

4. With reference to the claims of the Duchy of Lancaster, I am in communication with the Council, but have not yet received the clauses which they will suggest.

These proposals were considered by the Treasury, and the matter was arranged between the solicitors of all the parties at issue.

PUBLIC

GENERAL STATUTES,

25° & 26° VICTORIÆ, 1862.

SERIES H.-HEALTH, ENCLOSURES, &c.

CREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND.

LUNACY.

CAP. LXXXVI.-An Act to amend the Law relating to Commissions of Lunacy, and the proceedings under the same, and to provide more effectually for the visiting of Lunatics, and for other Purposes. (7th August 1862.)

The inquiry to be made under every order for inquiry in commissions of lunacy to be confined to the question, whether or not, the person who is the subject of the inquiry, is at the time of unsound mind, and incapable of managing himself or his affairs. All inquiries before a jury to be made by means of an issue in one of the superior courts. The Lord Chancellor to have power, when the lunatic does not oppose the application, and his property does not exceed 1000l. in value, or 50l. per annum, to apply it for his benefit. All lunatics to be visited four times a year. Visitors also to visit the alleged lunatics, and to make a report to the Lord Chancellor.

MEDICAL EDUCATION.

CAP. XCI.-An Act to incorporate the General Council of Medical Education and Registration of the United Kingdom, and for other Purposes. (7th August, 1862.)

ENGLAND.

NETLEY HOSPITAL.

CAP. XVI.-An Act for extinguishing certain Rights of Way through the Netley Hospital Estate in the Parish of Hoand, in the County of Southampton.

INCLOSURE.

CAP. XLVII.—An Act to authorize the Inclosure of certain Lands in pursuance of a Report of the Inclosure Commissioners for England and Wales. (29th July, 1862.)

CAP. XCIV.-An Act to authorize the Inclosure of certain Lands in pursuance of a Special Report of the Inclosure Commissioners. (7th August 1862.)

BURIAL BOards.

CAP. C.-An Act to authorize Improvement Commissioners acting as Burial Boards to mortgage certain Rates for the purpose of the Burial Acts. (7th August, 1862.)

LUNACY.

CAP. CXI.-An Act to amend the Law relating to Lunatics. (7th August, 1862.)

The Act provides for the establishment of county asylums, the plans to be approved by the quarter sessions. When a contract has been made for the reception of lunatics into any asylum, hospital, &c., the vestries of the county or borough may contribute a sum for the purpose not exceeding one-fourth of the weekly charge. Accommodation may be provided in such hospitals for the burial of such lunatics. Licensed houses to be inspected. No lunatic to be detained in a workhouse beyond fourteen days. Every licensed house may be visited at any time.

SCOTLAND.
LUNACY.

CAP. LIV. An Act to make further Provision respecting Lunacy in Scotland. (29th July, 1862.)

The board may license lunatic wards of poor-houses, and may grant special licences for reception in houses of not more than four lunatics and to charitable institutions to receive imbecile children without fee. Lunatics to be admitted by order of the sheriff, and on medical certificate. The sheriff may commit daugerous lunatics. Insane prisoners may, on expiry of the sentence, be detained in the general prison.

IRELAND.

COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS.

CAP. XV.-An Act to define the powers of the President and Fellows of the King and Queen's College of Physicians in Ireland, with respect to the Election of its Fellows. (16th May, 1862.)

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