§ SIR HARCOURT JOHNSTONEsaid, he wished to ask the First Commissioner of Works, Whether his attention has been called to the still dangerous condition of the ride opposite Knightsbridge Barracks; and, if not, whether he will give instructions to have the holes filled up and levelled?
§ MR. AYRTON, in reply, said, he was quite alive to the great importance of keeping Rotten Row in proper order. As soon as his attention had been called to some defects on the ride he had given directions that they should be corrected. The difficulty in the matter arose from the circumstance that the surface beneath the earth could not be seen, and that the defects could not, as a consequence, be perceived. As they were discovered, however, they were removed. It should be borne in mind that the ride had been only recently re-made, and that, unfortunately, while hon. Members were in the country a considerable number of persons remained in town who continued riding up and down while the ride was in a wet state, and wholly unfit for equestrian exercise. A good deal of mischief was done in that way; but every effort was being made to restore the ride to good order.