[BILL 62.] SECOND READING. (Hansard, 28 February 1877)

§ MR. WHALLEY,

in moving that the Bill be now read the second time, explained that its object was to facilitate the acquisition by, and the transference to, the Metropolitan Board of Works of certain squares and other open spaces in the Metropolis. He said there were several such open spaces which were enjoyed by a limited number of persons, the owners of which were ready to transfer them to the local authorities on proper conditions as to maintenance and regulation. The Bill consequently did not give any compulsory powers, but would enable the Metropolitan Board of Works to acquire gardens and open spaces, by purchase or gift, for the recreation and amusement of the public, and enable them to make bye-laws and regulations for their preservation. Since the subject had been first brought under the notice of Parliament a strong feeling had been manifested by the public in favour of such a measure, and as an illustration of the benefits which might arise from it he would point out the facilities which had been given in the case of the Temple Gardens, where, in the afternoons during some months in the year, 2,000 or 3,000 children might frequently be found enjoying themselves, without inconvenience or annoyance to the members of the Temple. He should like to see similar facilities given to the public in the case of Lincoln's Inn and some of the squares, and wished to state that the Duke of Westminster was anxious 1195 that some recognized authority should take charge of one of which he was owner. As originally drawn, the Bill contained compulsory clauses which were objected to. These had been withdrawn, and therefore he hoped the Bill would be allowed to pass a second reading.