§ LORD WILLIAM GRAHAMsaid, he would beg to ask the First Commissioner of Works, Whether it is with his leave and sanction that boats are allowed to go on the Ornamental Water in Regent's Park; whether he is aware that considerable annoyance has arisen to the families of owners of private gardens which abut on the same, from persons landing on or lying alongside of these gardens; and whether lie intends to take any steps to remedy the grievance complained of?
§ MR. FOXsaid, he wished to put another question on the same subject, the permission for boats to row on the ornamental water in the Regent's Park. He knew, as living in the neighbourhood—["Order, order!"] He merely wished to say that having had many opportunities—o
§ MR. SPEAKERsaid, the hon. Gentleman was clearly out of order in making the observation.
§ MR. FOXsaid, he wished to know whether anything had occurred which had induced the Commissioner to regret the licence granted, or that would interfere with the consideration of its extension, especially so as to allow the employment of boats on a Sunday?
MR. COWPERsaid, that last summer it occurred to him that the ornamental lake 633 in the Regent's Park was not so conducive to the public recreation as it might be, or as the Serpentine was, and he, therefore, made arrangements to allow boats to ply. On that occasion he received an urgent remonstrance from the owners of property on one side of the lake, and, also, from persons living on the other side. Those persons stated that if boats were allowed the private gardens would be liable to the incursions of a miscellaneous London mob. The other allegation was that if the stagnant water were stirred up serious consequences would result to the health of the neighbourhood. He was happy to say that neither of those apprehensions had been realized. A miscellaneous London mob had not paid eighteen-pence an hour for boats, and had not landed in the private gardens. The only complaint that had reached him was a complaint of incivility towards a lady by a young man who was rowing in a boat. On the other hand he had received the strongest expressions of gratitude and satisfaction at this additional source of amusement, and he knew that a great many clerks and shopkeepers, young men employed all day in sedentary occupations, had found a source of healthful recreation by rowing on the water in the morning. It had also given a vivacity and picturesque appearance to the park which all persons of good taste must greatly rejoice in.
§ Orders of the Day,—Ordered, that the Orders of the Day be postponed till after the three first Notices of Motions, relative to East India.