MR. HARVEY LEWISsaid, he would beg to ask the First Commissioner of Works, Whether his attention has been called to the state of the paths and woodland in Kensington Gardens; and, if so, whether it is his intention to take any steps to have the same put into a proper state by drainage; and whether there is any prospect of completing the works at the ornamental water in the Gardens?
MR. COWPERsaid, in reply, that in one of the central parts of Kensington Gardens under the trees there had been during the late wet weather an accumulation of water. That water could easily be got rid of by drains, but he apprehended that drains in that situation would do more than remove the water, they might also remove the trees. Many trees had been killed in former times by draining the Gardens, and he considered it as one of the duties of his office to take care of the old trees. He was, therefore, not willing to expose them to any risk. In reply to the second Question, he had to state that the contractor who was sinking the well at the upper end of the Serpentine had brought up a considerable supply of water, but he was now occupied in boring into the chalk for the purpose of procuring a still larger suppply.