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15
under the streets of street boxes there was no idea in the
minds of the Board of Trade when they framed the
Provisional Order that street boxes would be extended to
mean transformer chambers. After full consideration,
however, the Board of Trade decided to provisionally
approve of the system proposed to be adopted, and the
Company thereupon gave formal notice of their intention
to proceed with the works, and submitted amended plans.
The Board intimated during the conference that as they
were advised that the term "street boxes" would not apply
to transformer chambers, they would, in the event of the
Board of Trade approving of the system, apply for an
injunction to restrain the Company from constructing the
proposed chambers under the public way in the district;
and Sir Courtenay Boyle stated that the proceedings there
would not bar the Board from proceeding by injunction ;
that the Board of Trade had no power to give the Company
any rights as regard public streets which are not
given in the Order, but that in settling the regulations
and conditions under which the Company were to carry
out the Order the Board of Trade would act as if the word
"boxes" did include transformer chambers. The Board are
of opinion that the construction of these transformer chambers
in the streets would be a great obstruction, and that
the chambers are likely to be a source of public danger.
This obstruction and danger can be avoided by constructing
the chambers above ground on private property
adjoining the streets, and the question is really only one
of expense. Whilst the Board are desirous of giving
every proper facility to the introduction of the electric
light into the district, they feel bound to protect the
interests of the public in the matter. They have, therefore,
approved of the amended plans so far as regards the laying
of the electric mains, but they object to the construction
ot the transformer chambers as proposed, and they are
taking proceedings with the view of preventing their construction
in the public way.