097
THE ESTATES GAZETTE־
April 29, 1899.
purpose. Even when mortgagees had originally tli.e full margin of one-third of the value, cottage property was a notoriously dangerous security; partly on account of the rapid de termination to which it was subject from the nature of its construction and from ill-treatment 'by bad occupiers, -and partly because it tell greatly in value in times of business de-pressron, after the excessive activity in speculative building which usually accompanied periods of general business prosperity.
No scheme for enabling working men to buy their dwellings with borrowed money could be of any general utility unless more than the usual proportion of two-thirds of the price were advanced, and it was, in fact, actually proposed by Mr. Chamberlain’s Bill to advance four-fifths. It seemed probable, therefore, if the proposed loans were at all numerous, that the risk of heavy loss to the ratepayers, through their having to take possession in unprosperous times of cottages on which advances had been made, would be considerable. This risk was not, of course, necessarily a conclusive argument against the Bill, if there was sufficient evidence to show that the benefits conferred by it were more than sufficient to counterbalance the probability of occasional heavy losses,^ but it was, he thought, a strong reason tor not making the proposed advances through the local authorities. There seemed no room to doubt that it would open the door to a great deal of direct and indirect corruption, if local authorities were authorised to lend money to their own ׳constituents. Mr. Martin also considered it desirable that the actual administra-tion of such an Act should not be in the hands of the local authorities ; they might, if neees-sary, decide as !to its being adopted in their districts, but the actual machinery should be worked by a Government department as inde-pendent as possible of local influences.
people who called out for impossibilities got half impossibilities they would never be satisfied, and the Irish question would remain until the country was treated with strict justice. It was a mistake to suppose that then there would be no further difficulty in Ireland, and the sooner England recognised that the better.
Mr. J. H. Campbell proposed the toast of “The Chairman.” He thought that Mr. Bag-well had taken a rather pessimistic view of the character of their fellow-countrymen and of the prospects of the country. There was a growing class in Ireland who were sick to death of continued agitation and continued political and religious bitterness and strife. Things were looking up, especially in the matter of “agriculture and industry, and he believed that if the Government brought in a measure dealing with their agriculture and industries it would“be of much benefit in promoting the material progress of the country (applause). If the leaders on both sides of the two great political parties recognised that Ireland had had enough, and more than enough, of controversial and ciass legislation, and if they gave Ireland sufficient time to enable her to devote her energies to the development of her industrial, commercial and agricultural facilities, he believed there was a sufficiently large and increasing party amongst them who could work for such *a measure for the good of the country, and he for one looked forward to the future as a time of prosperity for this country (applause).
The toast was cordially honoured, and
The Chairman briefly replied.
The company soon afterwards separated.
passed to the chairman for his valued services during the past year.
The proceedings then terminated.
THE ANNUAL DINNER
LONDON BUILDING ACT.
TRIBUNAL OP APPEAL.
At the Surveyors’ Institution, Savoy-street on Monday, the Tribunal of Appeal, appointed under the London Building Act, 1894 and composed of Mr. Arthur Oates, P.R.I B A P.S.I., Mr. J. W. Penfold, P.R.I.B.A.! P.S.I., and Mr. A. A. Hudson, A.S.I., bar-rister-at-law, held a sitting for the purpose of hearing an appeal by the New Westminster Brewery Company against the refusal of the superintending architect of the London County Council to sanction certain plans for the exten-sion of the licensed premises known as the 'y Horse and Bower, Horseferry-road, Westminster.
Mr. Grails was for the appellants, and Mr Seager-Berry for the London County Council.
It appeared that in 1893 the appellants purchased the White Horse and Bower, together with some cottages in the rear. The cottages were m a very dilapidated condition, and for this reason it was decided to demolish them and to erect on the site a club room or billiard room as an addition and haying a connection with the licensed premises. Tt was proposed to bring the building line of the new structure 3ft. within the prescribed distance from the centre of the roadway. The County Council, through their superintending architect, refused to sanction the plans, and the appellants took these proceedings ■under section 13, sub-section . ’ ^he Act which states•: “ The Council may, in any case where they think it expedient, con-sent to the erection, formation or extension of any building structure, forecourt or space at a distance less than the prescribed distance from the centre of the roadway of any such street or way, and at such distance from the centre of such roadway, and subject to such conditions and terms (if any) as they may think proper to sanction, provided that the givin״ of such consent by the Council shall not in any way aflect the rights of the owners of adjoining land.” Mr. Crails pointed out that the question before the Court in this case was as to the expediency of allowing the ■structure to come within the prescribed distance from the centre of the roadway. The thoroughfare was e'^lara3^er; whilst the amount ci traffic was very small indeed. There was no objection on the part of adjoining owners, and the Vestry authorities did׳ not oppose.
Mr Berry, on behalf of the County Coun-cii, said that sanction had been refused on the ground that the Council were unwilling to allow the thoroughfare—already a bad street— to be narrowed. He submitted that there was no just reason for the erection of the clubhouse within the prescribed distance. If the Council had passed the plans there was a danger of their being asked to grant similar concessions all along the line.
In the result the appeal was allowed, subject to certain conditions.
THE EXAMINATION AWARD'S.
In the examination held by the Irish Branch of the Surveyors’ Institution, the results of which have just been announced, Mr. D. R. 0 Brien has succeeded in gaining the prize offered by the Committee to the ■winner of the highest marks in the examination qualifying for the Associateship held in March last, and Mr. R. B. Gahan. has obtained the corresponding prize in the junior examination for students.
Mr. O’Brien is a son of the Rev. L. H. 0 Brien, Rector of Adare, co. Limerick, and served his apprenticeship in the offices of Messrs. It. and C. Sanders, Charieville, co. Cork. He is at present engaged as agent over several estates in co. Limerick.
Mr. Gahan, who is at present being trained in the office of Mr. J. Currie Trench, of Dun-drum, co. Dublin, is a son of Lieut.-Colonel Gahan, late of the Army Pay Department, and the 4th and 20th Eoot, at present residing at Rose Bank, Lancaster ; he was educated at the Grammar School of that town.
RECENT PROPOSALS TO ENABLE WORKING MEN TO PURCHASE THEIR DWELLINGS.
BY HOWARD MARTIN, F.S.I.
Auctioneers and Estate Agents desiring to secure Partners, Purchase a Business, or engage Professional Assistance, should consult the “ Wanted ” Advertisements in the centre of the Paper.
A carefully-prepared paper on the above subject was read by Mr. Martin before the members of the Surveyors’ Institution, at Bristol, on Wednesday. Mr. Martin said he thought it highly probable that if any Bill with the proposed object became law in the immediate future, the law would be more or less in the form of Mr. Chamberlain’s Bill of the present session, not only because it was his, but, because in some important respects it appeared more likely to attract the support necessary to pass it, and to be more workable when passed than its predecessors. Mr. Marti'1 had prepared his paper with the object of showing what was to be expected in the way of practical legislation. He explained the provisions of the Bill in considerable detail, remarking that it was entirely permissive, the local authorities not being bound to lend nor the owners of house property bound to sell. There could be no doubt, said Mr. Martin, that it was most desirable to interest as large a proportion of the population as possune in the stability and economy of the administration of national and local affairs, and in the prosperity of the country in general, and of each man’s own district in particular, by making ownership of the soil as wide as possible, and especially by extending it amongst working men, who at present in most districts escape as tenants all, or nearly all, contribution to local taxation, while they have a preponderating voice in deciding what sums are to be raised by .the rates, and how they are to be spent.
Air. Martin thought it necessary to enquire whether or not there was anything in the special circumstances which might prevent legislation with ■this object securing a real advantage to the class it was sought to benefit, and a gain to ■the community in ■general. He expressed the opinion that to assist working men generally with public money to invest their savings in buying their dwelling houses would not be by any means a universal benefit to that class, and would involve considerable risks from the point, of view of the ratepayers,
1 who would have to find the money for that
took place m the evening at the Gresham Hotel. Mr. G. P. Stewart presided, and Mr. A. II Wynne occupied the vice-chair. To the ri״ht oi the chairman sat Mr. ,Justice Bovd, Messrs H. D M. Barton, J. H. Campbell, M.P., G. В. M. Hewson, T. P. Gill, and H. Stuart -Moore. On the left were Messrs. W. Wrffiht (Wollaton, Notts), R. Bagwell, P. E. Chenevix trench and Caledon Dolling. Others present included Major Deane Tanner, Captain T Jones, Messrs. J. Stewart Kincaid, Richard Quin, Harry Rogers, J. G. Barton, George Thompson, G. de L. Willis, A. B. Watson, A. Forbes, E. Shaw Tener, R. M. D. Sanders, A. H. Burke, and J. Scott Kerr (secretary).
The toast of “ The Queen ” having been duly honoured,
Chairman proposed the sentiment of Ihe Prince and Princess of Wales and the rest of the Royal Family.” He said that as the Duke and Duchess of York were at present m Ireland he thought it but right he should express, on behalf of the company, the feelings ot gratitude ־which they entertained towards the Royal couple for their kindness in comma-over there. It -was to be sincerely hoped that they had enjoyed their visit thoroughly.
The toast was enthusiastically received.
The Chairman next gave the toast of ‘‘The ¡surveyors’ Institution of England.” He said that although only founded about a quarter of a century ago, the Institution, by the high attainments of its members, and by their strict integrity and impartiality in all matters committed to their care, had attained a position which, for a private Institution such as theirs, was almost unrivalled. The Institution enjoyed the greatest confidence of all parties m the country. Although the Irish Institution ■was a junior compared with the parent one, yet they were ambitious enough to hope to be able to rival it some day. In a time of much anxiety to land agents in Ireland, their English brethren had stretched out their hands and given their sympathy to their Irish colleagues by offerina to share with them the charter held by the parent society. He begged to couple with the toast the names of Mr. W. Wright, a member of the English council, and Mr. J. G. Barton Dublin.
,Mr. Wright, in reply, said it was a source or much satisfaction to them in England that the Irish Institution had been established. As he understood it, they in Ireland had suffered very much in reference to land legislation, and he was sorry to say that a spirit similar to that which had prevailed here was extending to some extent in England. However, i hey hoped to escape the suffering which had been inflicted on their Irish brethren. He would impress upon the Irish association the necessity of establishing examinations, as these would secure efficiency in the younger classes of land agents. The Surveyors’ Institution now numbered something like 3,000 members including all classes. It had also a library cf over 10,000 volumes, and had attained a verv high status indeed.
Mr. Barton, Commissioner of Valuation, also responded.
The vice-chairman proposed the toast of “ The Visitors,” coupled with the names of Judge Boyd and Mr. Bagwell.
Mr. Justice Boyd, in reply, said he had seme experience of Irish land agents at a time when matters were far more troublesome than at present, and he must say he had always found the members of that body faithful and true faithful to those whose interests they were bound to protect, and true to those over wkom they were bound to exercise supervision. He had o׳ften heard it said that it was the land agents who had caused a great deal of the troubles in Ireland, but he must say from his experience of those troublous years, ’85, !86 and 87, that he found the land agents, one and all, who had come before him most anxious to discharge their duties. It was a falsehood to say that the real land agents were ever re-sponsible for the troubles that existed in those years, and he believed that if the tenants had been let alone they would have readily recoa-uised the undoubted merits of the men who managed the estates on which they were tenants. However, these troublous times when good feeling had almost disappeared had aone and the generous spirit of the Irish tenants, a?d °f Irishmen generally, had triumphed over disaffection, and the people were now beginning to hold out the right hand of fellowship to each other, and to recognise one another in the true spirit of good feeling (applause).
Mr. Bagwell said he had been selected to administer an Act of Parliament, and of all Acts of Parliament ever drawn it was the worst.. The Land Act of 1886 was considered pretty bad, but the Act of 1896 would puzzle anv-body. If things went on as they threatened at present there would be no land agents soon and things would never be right until legislation was granted, not because it -was expedient, but because it was necessary. So long as the
it was no fault of theirs. This seemed a poor and lame conclusion to come to. Eortunatelv though it was, he ■believed, the truth, it was’ he was sure, by no means the whole truth, lhey all wanted lower railway rates, English farmers included. And English farmers at least could have them if thev chose, to their own great advantage, and also to the profit of the railway companies; but to get them the farmers must abandon their old-fashioned retail methods in favour of modern economical wholesale methods of business.
Mi. Acworth concluded his paper by saying that he did not presume to tell the Institution what were its functions, but he should himself tbink that the gradual reduction of English railway rates to a modern standard by°the gradual introduction of modern methods of dcing ■the business, was pre-eminently a work falling ־within their sphere of influence. Eor, indeed, the process could only be gradual’ Speaking from pretty close personal familiarity with the long and tedious procedure of Parliamentary revision of rates carried on almost without intermission from 1880 to 1894 he ventured to say that no agitation, no Parliamentary pressure, no legislation even, would have any serious effect in reducing railway rates so long as the cost of doing the business remained unaltered. That cost could only be reduced by altering the methods, and in fixing these methods the customer, in England at least, had a much more potent voice than the railway company.
IRISH LAND AGENTS’ COMMITTEE OF THE SURVEYORS' INSTITUTION.
The annual general meeting of the Irish Land Agents Committee of the Surveyors’ Institution was held at their offices, 110, Graf-ton-street, Dublin, on April 20, when the retiring chairman, Mr. H. D. M. Barton, presided. The following members were also present: —Messrs. Henry A. Burke, E. Shaw Tener, T'issington W. G." Tatlow, J. R. Scott, E. E. Knox, Hugh Galbraith, T. N. Edge-worth, P. Chenevix Trench, Major Deane Tanner, Wm. J. Roe, Harry Rogers, Toler R. Garvey, James Currie Trench, T. Roberts Garvey, R. E. Hodson, Alfred H. Wynne, W. D. Talbot Crosbie, G. de L. Willis.
The secretary (Mr. Scott Kerr) read letters of apology from the following : —Messrs. E. A. B. Turner, S. M. Hussey, E. H. Poe Hosford, J. G. M. Harvey, Ernest H. Browne, Allan MacDonald, John W. Scott, Major Alexander, J. Garnett Tatlow, A. Tailyour, Arthur Brooke, Anthony Maude, Averelf Lloyd, Edward W. Eowler.
The Chairman, in submitting the report and accounts for the past year, referred to the latter as being in a most satisfactory condition, and that they left a considerable balance to the credit of the current account. The capital account was also in a gratifying condition, and the funds well invested. The report, which was already in the hands of the members,^ showed the association to be in a healthy condition. He (the chairman) went on to speak of the examinations, which would have in the future, as in the past, to be relied on to fill up ־the places of those who from death and other inevitable causes ceased their membership. He said that in a very short time these examinations would come to be a sine qua non to prospective land agents, and already landowners were making it a necessary condition when apnointing agents that they should be fully qualified according to the standard set up by their body. The chairman then announced the results of the recent preliminary and professional examinations. In the former, Messrs. R. B. Gahan, J. T. Goff, and R. H. T. Gahan, had passed in the order named, and in the latter examination, Messrs. D. R. O’Brien and G. P. Stewart were first and second respectively.
Upon the motion of Mr. R. E. Hodson seconded by Mr. Tissington W. G. Tatlow, the report was unanimously adopted.
The meeting then proceeded to the election of officers and an executive for the ensuin״ year, when the following were elected : —Chair“ man, Mr. G. E. Stewart; vice-chairman, Air. A. H. Wynne ; hon. secretary and. treasurer, Mr. P. F. Chenevix Trench; and the following executive: Major Alexander, H. D. M. Barton, W. H. Boyd, Arthur Brooke, Charles Brownlow, James D. Crosbie, W. D. Talbot Crosbie, Caledon Dolling, Colonel Doppino-Ihomas N. Edgeworth, Matthew H. Pranks’ Savage French, Hugh Galbraith, Toler R. Ga״ey-J- G- M- Harvey, G. R. M. Hewson, fe. M. Hussey, Colonel Irvine, J. Otway Johnson, J. Stewart Kincaid, Maurice Kni״ht Arthur J. Owen, J. E. Penrose, Wm. Roch-fort, R. Al. D. Sanders, Edward Synge, Aiex-arder Tailyour, J. Garnett Tatlow, T. Courtnev lownshend, P. A. B. Turner, Arthur P Vernon, Gilbert de L. Willis.
Other business of a professional nature was considered and discussed at length; and a cordial vote of thanks, moved by Air Toler Garvey, and seconded by Air. Wynne, was