RETURNS MOVED FOR. (Hansard, 24 March 1863)

MR. HARVEY LEWIS
said, he rose to move an address for Returns of the names of the persons killed or injured during the procession of the 7th of March and on the occasion of the recent illuminations in the City on the 10th of March, and of persons who afterwards died in consequence of injuries received on either of those days; and of the persons injured on either of those days whose cases were reported to the City and metropolitan police, distinguishing the localities in which the deaths and injuries occurred. The difficulties which arose in the City, upon the occasion of the procession of his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales and the Princess Alexandra, were unhappily matters of public notoriety. Under the circumstances the fatal accidents to which his Motion referred, ought not to have occurred; for if ever proper notice was given to authorities, it was given on that occasion. For several days, previously to the 7th instant, the City had been engaged in mailing the most extensive preparations for the Royal reception, which attracted such crowds of spectators that the streets were almost impassable, so that there was ample warning of what was to be expected on the day of the arrival of the Princess. Besides, notice was given from a quarter which ought to have received deferential attention. They had the statement of His Royal Highness the Commander-in-Chief, that he had tendered the Lord Mayor the assistance of the military, which was in the first instance declined; but when the Commander-in-Chief, fortified by the opinion of a council of officers, again pressed the use of the military on the Lord Mayor, his Lordship accepted the aid of a limited number of mounted artillery. If he had not done so, the most fearful consequences would probably have ensued. But as it was, the City authorities could not be held to be tree from blame. They arranged the programme and published an order for the clearing of certain streets at stated times; but long after the fixed 1866 hour the streets were encumbered with vehicles of every description in defiance of their own regulations. There was an appalling scene at London Bridge, which was crowded long after the hour that had been, fixed for clearing it, and there was great anxiety as to the possibility of making a passage over the bridge for the Royal procession. So densely were the people massed in front of the Fishmongers' Hall that it was wonderful some were not crushed to death, and it was a grave question where the people on the bridge were to be forced to. A. few policemen, who had been placed on the bridge to perform an impossible task, made an attempt to clear the bridge, but failed hopelessly; and when the duty was undertaken by the mounted artillery, the result was to drive an immense mass of human beings on to the already overcrowded spaces opposite Fishmongers' Hall, along King William Street, and before the Mansion House. The City procession then began to make its appearance, getting through the crowd as it best could; but only part of it crossed the bridge; and when the Royal carriages reached the centre of the bridge, they could get no farther for some time, because the corporation carriages, advancing to meet the Royal carriages, stopped the way. All that showed great want of precaution on the part of the City authorities, and at the same time evidenced in a remarkable degree the good conduct of the people, and they could only be thankful that the number of fatalities was not larger. Had there been evil-disposed persons in the crowd, or had the police displayed anger or irritation, much more serious consequences might have been apprehended. Several lives, however, had been sacrificed and limbs broken, and it was well worth inquiry how these grave accidents had occurred. In King William Street, on the Saturday, a woman had been thrown down from a stand which had been improperly erected there; her arm was broken, and she was removed to an hospital, where she subsequently died; and it was on account of that case he had introduced the 7th of March as well as the 10th into his Motion. The public mind had been painfully excited on the subject, and he thought it must desirable that all the facts that could be ascertained should be laid before the House previous to the discussion on the Motion of the hon. and gallant Member for Westminster (Sir De Lacy Evans) for the amalgamation of the metropolitan and 1867 City police; so that the House might have correct data upon which to form an opinion.

§ MR. NORRIS
said, he rose to move that the Return be supplemented by a Return of the number of persons killed and wounded on the occasion of the lying in state and funeral of the Duke of Wellington; and a copy of any order issued by the metropolitan police authorities with a view to prevent such accidents. He moved that addition because he thought that the information furnished, to be of any value, should be as full as possible, and he hoped that the House would suspend their judgment until they obtained full information. As the hon. Member, however, had given a detailed account of what took place in the City, he might, perhaps, be permitted to say that the great blunder which had been committed was that of confining the full procession to so limited a line of road as that which existed between London Bridge and Temple Bar. Another fact which he would mention was this—that on the morning of the 7th March he attempted to approach the Mansion House from the north of London; but when he got as far as the junction of Newgate Street, and St. Martin's le-Grand, his carriage, those of other people, and a great many respect able persons on foot, were prevented getting into Cheapside by van-load after van-load of metropolitan policemen being driven from the West End through the City of London; and an obstruction of that kind having occurred, it was certainly right to inquire how far the metropolitan and the City police authorities acted in harmony upon such occasions. When one body of police was found fault with, and another was found adding to the obstruction, the House ought to suspend its judgment until the whole of the facts were before them. If it could be proved that the City authorities had neglected their duty, they ought 1868 to be called upon to resign the authority which they possessed.

§ THE LORD MAYOR (Mr. Alderman ROSE)
said, he thought it would be inconvenient upon that occasion to attempt to answer the observations of the hon. Member for Marylebone; but when the Returns had been furnished, the whole circumstances would be in possession of the public, and they would then be able to judge of the merits of the question. He might, however, be allowed to repeat what he had stated before, that troops having been offered to him, he accepted that offer on the very day on which it was made. There was, however, some little irregularity on the part of Sir Richard Mayne in communicating the offer. Such offer was made in an unofficial manner; but the moment the offer was officially made, he at once accepted it verbally, and within two hours a written acceptance of the offer was sent to His Royal Highness the Commander-in-Chief, and that letter also thanked him for the offer so made. Further, when two officers were sent down to him (the Lord Mayor) he not only expressed his gratitude for the 200 troops who were offered, but said that if 100 or 200 more could be sent he should be thankful.

COLONEL NORTH
said, he wished to know whether, when his gallant Friend Sir Richard Airey first made an offer of to the Lord Mayor, on behalf of His Royal Highness the Commander-in-Chief, he did not meet with a refusal.

§ THE LORD MAYOR (Mr. Alderman ROSE)
said, that he most distinctly stated that personally he was very much obliged to His Royal Highness for his kind consideration, but that he being the occupant of his office for one year only could not accept the offer off-hand; that personally he accepted it, but that a written communication would be sent as soon as the proper parties could be consulted, and that written communication was sent, he believed, about an hour after the interview by special messenger.

§ SIR GEORGE GREY
said, he thought that was not the time to discuss the arrangements of the City Police. It was 1869 quite obvious, however, that that force was quite insufficient to meet the recent emergency. He had not seen the report referred to by the Lord Mayor, but had no doubt he would find it at the office on the following day. He had no objection either to the Motion or the supplement to it.