On Tuesday the London County Council discussed the proposal of
the Establishment Committee to seek Parlia- mentary powers to acquire, at an estimated cost of £813,000, a triangular piece of land in Trafalgar Square and Spring -Gardens, and to build there a new county hall. Sir John Lubbock supported the scheme, but suggested as an amend- ment the substitution of " offices " for "county hall." Lord Farrer, with his usual courage and good sense, opposed the proposal and condemned the site as too near Westminster. The Council would be doing a great wrong to the London of the future if they selected this site; whilst others like Christ's Hospital and Clare Market had not even been con- sidered. They might also consider whether a site might not be secured on the south side of the river. Mr. Burns took the other side in a somewhat passionate speech. Ulti- mately, however, the proposal as amended by Sir John Lubbock was carried by a majority of 18 (64 to 46 votes). We agree with Lord Farrer that if London is to have a huge municipal palace, it should be placed not at Charing Cross, but in some part of London which has a greater need of fine buildings. At the same time we can understand the hard. worked Councillors liking so very accessible a place as Charing Cross. It is doubtless the place in all London most easily and cheaply reached.
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