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opposition to overhead wires being allowed. A further Conference
of Delegates from the various Vestries and District
Boards was held at the Lambeth Vestry Hall on the new Bill,
and resolutions were passed in opposition to the powers asked for,
and advising Petitions to be lodged against the Bill. Petitions
were in consequence very generally presented to Parliament
against the Bill by the London Vestries and District Boards,
and in the result the Bill was not proceeded with.
4. A Company, called the South Metropolitan Electric Supply
Company, Limited, applied for a Provisional Order under the
"Electric Lighting Act, 1882," for a district comprising a part of
Lambeth, and a still larger portion of London to the North of
the River.
The part of Lambeth included Waterloo Bridge Station, and
extended from Waterloo Bridge Road, along the Lower Marsh
to Westminster Bridge Road, and thence to Westminster
Bridge.
The Vestry decided to oppose the order, and directed the
Clerk to send to the Board of Trade a letter containing
objections in accordance with the Act. This was done, and the
Chief Official of the Board of Trade held a Sitting to consider
the objections of the Vestry, and the other Public Bodies
opposing, to the Order. The Board of Trade then decided to
postpone for a lime the further consideration of the Draft Order,
and eventually the Parish of Lambeth was withdrawn from the
Draft.
5. The Vestry decided to apply to Parliament for power to make
its own rates, and to take over some of the other powers and
duties of the Overseers. Notices were accordingly given, and a
Petition for a Bill was lodged by the Clerk. An Action was then
instituted by the Attorney-General (at the relation of Mr. Charles
William Smith, a Member of the Vestry) Mr. Smith, and the
Churchwardens and Overseers of the Parish against the Vestry.