LEAVE. FIRST READING. (Hansard, 9 February 1875)

§ MR. WHALLEY
moved for leave to bring in a Bill— for affording facilities for vesting in the Metropolitan Board of Works, open spaces, gardens, and squares within the Metropolitan District for the exercise and recreation of the public; and to empower owners or joint owners or a majority thereof, to enter into arrangements with the Metropolitan Board of Works in relation thereto.

§ SIR WILLIAM FRASER
asked for some explanation as to the object of the Bill. He believed it was similar to a measure which was introduced by the hon. Member during the last hours of the last Session. Judging from the title, it appeared to be one of the most comprehensive measures ever brought before Parliament; and he for one objected to such great powers being placed in the hands of the Metropolitan Board of Works. If, instead of vesting the open spaces in the Metropolitan Board of Works, they were vested in the Government, as having control of the police, much better order would be maintained. St. James's Park, for instance, was infested with the refuse of the Metropolis, so many filthy people lying about in all directions, that it had been called a dirty caricature of a battle-field.

§ MR. WHALLEY
said, that since last Session, when his Bill was printed, he had consulted those who might be supposed to be primarily interested in the matter, the owners of property around the open spaces, and he had every reason to believe that the Bill would be likely to operate most beneficially. The object of the Bill was simply to give a certain majority, say two-thirds of the owners or joint owners of property adjacent to the squares and open spaces, an oppor- 210 tunity of having these places, not perhaps like Leicester Square, placed on particular days, or on certain hours at the service of the inhabitants. Many of the squares of London, which were almost a scandal and an eyesore, would become, if given up to the people, sources of enjoyment and recreation, and much moral good would consequently be effected. The experiment had been tried at the Temple Gardens, and with the most remarkable success. When people visited these breathing-places, they kept themselves and their children clean, having to mix with a better class of society, and the moral benefit resulting to poor persons was incalculable.