§ SIR THOMAS ESMONDE (Dublin Co., S.)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, If he is aware that a Resolution was passed, on the 1st of June last, at a meeting of the Streatham Vestry, attended by only one-third of the members, to restrict the right of the public to ride over Tooting Common; whether the proposal, if carried out, will entail a heavy extra charge upon the ratepayers, most of whom are entirely opposed to the scheme; and, if, under the circumstances, steps can be taken to prevent this infringement of ancient public rights before the next Session of Parliament, and until the ratepayers have had full opportunity of expressing their views upon the matter?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. MATTHEWS) (Birmingham, E.)I have not seen any report of the proceeding of the Streatham Vestry; but such a Resolution would have no operative value. No bye-law has yet been made by the Metropolitan Board of Works, or submitted to me for allowance; and by the Statute a bye-law cannot be allowed unless notice of the intention to apply for the allowance has been published and advertised at least for one month previously. The ratepayers, therefore, will have full opportunity to express their views.