§ MR. LOCKEasked the First Commissioner of Works, Whether he considers it necessary to provide accommodation for equestrians in Hyde Park during the winter months, and whether care will be taken in future to prevent Rotten Row being closed during the winter; and, if he can say how long it will be before the rides in Hyde Park are in a fit and safe state for riding?
§ MR. GERARD NOELSir, I think it most important that accommodation should be provided for equestrians in Hyde Park during the winter months. I can assure the House that everything has been done by the Department to hurry on the works as quickly as pos- 385 sible; but we have had two difficulties to contend with — the unprecedented amount of wet, and also the impossibility of obtaining sufficient and proper material for the foundation. The contractors were bound by their contract to put the upper part of Rotten Row, which had not yet been re-made, into good condition. This has been done; it was opened last Monday, and I trust the public will have no cause for complaint. With regard to the upper part of the Ride adjacent to Kensington Gardens, and opposite the late Knightsbridge Barracks, every exertion has been made to keep it in proper order during the winter; but, as the hon. Member knows, the foundation is defective, in many places there is nothing but mud and sand, and the more you meddled with it during the wet weather the worse it became; but lately I have ordered that part of the Ride to be thoroughly overhauled, the bad places mended, good material to be put down and covered with gravel, and I hope to be able to keep it safe and in good condition during the summer. I regret exceedingly that my hon. Friend and the public have been deprived of their accustomed rides during the last few months; but it was decided that Rotten Row should be re-made; it was essential, therefore, to shut it up. I thought it better to close it during the autumn and early winter months, as I well know the censure which would have been passed upon me by the hon. Member for Southwark and my Friends behind me if I had left Rotten Row open during the autumn and put a barrier across the ride on the 8th of February. I hope before the end of this year to have Rotten Row and the Ride in thorough good condition, and to maintain it in good condition.