HL Deb 03 August 1885 vol 300 cc813-5

Amendments reported (according to Order).

THE EARL OF ABINGDON moved an Amendment in Clause 4, giving the Conservators power to hear complaints as to unreasonable delay of boats in front of the property of riparian owners.

Amendment agreed to.

Clause, as amended, agreed to.

LORD MOUNT-TEMPLE moved an Amendment, providing that the bye-laws of the Conservancy for the regulation of traffic on the Thames should not allow house-boats or other boats to remain for more than 48 hours at anchor in front of a residence. At present, a serious nuisance was caused to owners of houses on the banks of the Thames by boats being moored for weeks and and months in front of these residences. At regattas and on other occasions the public would be deprived of much of their present enjoyment if arbitrary power were bestowed on occupiers of houses to prevent any temporary loitering at their banks.

Amendment moved, in Clause 6, page 3, line 7, after ("ground") to insert ("for more than forty-eight hours.")—(The Lord Mount-Temple.)

LORD BRAMWELL

maintained that the owners of these boats had no right to loiter opposite to the residences of riparian owners at all, and on that ground he opposed the Amendment. It would be an intolerable nuisance for a boat —especially a house-boat, with, perhaps, many persons on board—to stop in front of a gentleman's garden for 48 hours. They might as well give gipsies power to camp for that time on the high road in front of a dwelling-house.

THE EARL OF WEMYSS

also opposed the Amendment. He would point out to their Lordships that there might be a succession of boats each staying 48 hours.

THE EARL OF ABINGDON

said, he supported the Amendment in the interests of riparian owners, a committee of whom had come to the conclusion that they would rather have a summary jurisdiction power of removing boats after 48 hours than be left, as at present, with the alternative of a Common Law action, which, in all probability, would not be tried until months after the order for removal had ceased to be of any practical benefit.

LORD MOUNT-TEMPLE

explained that house-boats were used by artists, lovers of nature who would have no enjoyment if they were not permitted to loiter. As it was, these boats were often moored opposite a house for as long a period as three months. All the riparians knew very well that they had better have the boats removed at the end of 48 hours.

LORD BRAMWELL

said, he thought the owners of boats ought to be liable to a penalty if they stayed opposite a house at all.

THE EAEL OF ABINGDON

believed that they had a right to loiter.

LORD BRAMWELL

said, they had not.

On Question? Their Lordships divided:—Contents 20; Not-Contents 14: Majority 6.

Resolved in the affirmative.

Clause, as amended, agreed to.

Bill to be read 3a To-morrow.