§ Mr. M. A. Taylorsaid, that Steam-engines were at present so numerous in many places, that the smoke which issued from them clouded the atmosphere, and endangered the lives of his majesty's liege subjects. To prevent these consequences, he wished the legislature to compel them to consume their own smoke. He had made inquiries of those who were best capable of judging whether or not this was practicable, and all the artists whom he had consulted agreed in thinking it might be easily accomplished. All lawyers considered the evil which he was now desirous of remedying as a nuisance, and an indictable offence; and in a late trial before Mr. Justice Bayley, the Court had held it to be incumbent on the defendant to show, that he had used all the means in his power to prevent the nuisance complained of. His motion was, "That a select committee be appointed to inquire how far it may be practicable to compel persons using Steam Engines to erect them in a manner less prejudicial to public health and public comfort." If the motion were agreed to, it was his intention to examine artists on the practicability of the plan which he had in view; and then to move that the report be printed, in order to have it circulated during the recess. Should he succeed in convincing the committee of the benefits that would result from the adoption of his plan, he would, if he lived to see another session, move for leave to bring in a bill to carry the recommendation of the committee into effect.
§ Mr. Curwenthought the plan of his hon. friend would be productive of the greatest benefit to the public, and that it only wanted publicity to ensure its general adoption.
§ The motion was then agreed to.