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have occupied a space of about 12-ft. long, 8-ft. wide
and 13-ft. deep, besides the entrance, which would be
about 1-ft. 6-in by 6-ft. in area. These dimensions were
reduced, and afterwards further reduced. It is now proposed
to construct the chambers of iron, 7-ft. by 5-ft. by
7-ft. in depth, which would occupy a space of 7-ft. 6 in. by
5-ft. 6-in. and a depth of 10-ft. 3-in. from the surface of
the pavement to the bottom of the concrete.
The Board of Trade convened a conference of the parties
concerned, at which this Board urged their objections
to the construction of the proposed chambers on the ground
of the obstruction which they would cause and of the
danger arising therefrom, this danger hiving been shown
by the occurrence of explosions in various parts of London
from other underground structures connected with electric
lighting. The Company contended that they were authorised
to construct the proposed chambers under the provisions
of the order, which empower them to construct
in any street "such boxes as may be necessary for pur"poses
in connection with the supply of energy, including
"apparatus for the proper ventilation of such boxes," and
provide that such boxes shall be used " for the purpose
"of leading off service lines, and other distributing con"ductors,
or for examining, testing, regulating, measuring,
"directing, or controlling the supply of energy, or for
"examining or testing the condition of the mains, or
"other portions of the works, or for other like purposes
"connected with the undertaking, and the undertakers
"may place therein meters, switches, and any other suit"able
and proper apparatus for any of the above purposes."
The Board urged that transforming chambers are not
within the meaning of the terms "street boxes," and Sir
Courtenay Boyle, Secretary of the Board of Trade, who
presided at the Conference, admitted that when application
was made to Parliament to authorise the placing