HL Deb 25 July 1867 vol 189 cc76-7
LORD EBURY

inquired, upon whose responsibility the structures now in process of erection at Stanhope Street Gate were being built; and whether the further progress of the works could be stayed until an expression of some competent opinion could be obtained in regard to them? He wished to express his earnest hope that those very unsightly buildings would be altered in some manner, for otherwise they would become a permanent eyesore in one of the finest promenades of the metropolis.

THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM

replied, that in consequence of the proposed widening of Park Lane, it had been deemed advisable to add another story to the structures referred to. As to the architecture reliance had been placed on the well-known skill of Mr. Pennethorne. The contracts had been completed, and the works were so far advanced that it was impossible now to stay them.

LORD EBURY

asked, whether instructions had been given for erecting hoardings round the buildings?

THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM

said, he was unable to answer that question.

EARL STANHOPE

said, he did not rise to complain of the structures at Stanhope Gate, but there was another point to which he desired to direct the noble Duke's attention. The noble Lord the first Commissioner of Works was reported to have stated in "another place" that a portion of the iron railing in Hyde Park would be completed in October next, but that the remainder of the work would not be finished till July, 1868. It appeared to him that such a long delay was quite unnecessary. He begged to ask the noble Duke when the railings would be completed?

VISCOUNT HARDINGE

said, he could not agree with the noble Earl (Earl Stanhope) that the structures to which he had alluded were not to be complained of. In his opinion they were hideous, and he only wondered that an architect of such skill as Mr. Pennethorne had erected them.

EARL STANHOPE

observed that he had expressed no approbation of the structure.

THE EARL OF HARROWBY

said, that as Lord John Manners was such an admirer of the Gothic style, and had such an antipathy to the Italian, perhaps he had selected the worst specimen possible of the latter in order to bring it in disrepute.

THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM

said, that as the work referred to by the noble Earl (Earl Stanhope) was not in his department, he could not answer his question just then.

House adjourned at a quarter before Eleven o'Clock till To-morrow, Eleven o'Clock.