§ Against going into Committee on the Courts of Justice Building Bill.
§
"DISSENTIENT:—
1st. Because, although the provision made for the cost of the site and of the buildings is limited to £1,500,000, there is no information given which affords any assurance that this calculation has been made on any reliable estimate.
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2nd. Because the proposed site is unsuited for the architectural effect of a building which, on account of the purposes to which it is to be applied, and the expenditure to be lavished upon it, on account of the fall of ground from north to south being so considerable that on two sides uniformity of elevation cannot be preserved, while the frontage, as at present proposed, will be on the east, opposite to mean houses in Bell Yard, and on the north to wretched buildings in Yeates and Horseshoe Courts, and on the back of Lincoln's Inn in Carey Street.
3rd. Because the above statement as to the boundaries of the site now to be acquired at the enormous cost of from £700,000 to £750,000, and the want of all decent approaches to it from any quarter but the Strand, which is already one of the most overcrowded thoroughfares in the metropolis, must satisfy all who give attention to the subject that much more property must be purchased and a far larger expenditure incurred than that already provided for.
4th. Because these facts prove that the site is in many respects an unsuitable one, while it is notorious that others can be procured affording excellent general accommodation at less than half the cost, and free from all the above-mentioned objections.
5th. Because it is proposed to tax the suitors in certain Courts, in order to raise part of the money required, whereas, if any is to be obtained from those using the new Courts, it would be far more properly supplied by a percentage levied on solicitors' bills, counsels' fees, and Judges' salaries, these being the persons for whose supposed convenience this extravagant outlay is more particulary demanded, while the necessity of any such change would be avoided by a reduction in the expense of the work consequent upon the selection of a cheaper site.
6th. Because, it appears to me, it is the duty of the House to inquire into these matters, and to be satisfied as to the probable cost of the proposed Courts, and of any approaches to the same which may he necessary in connection therewith, before it sanctions a scheme which calls for so large and so uncertain an expenditure.
REDESDALE.
§ House adjourned at Eight o'clock, to Thursday next, half past Ten o'clock.