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the Wandsworth District expended upwards of £300 in opposing the
former Bills. The Board have the same objections to the present Bills,
and it is unfair that they should so soon be again put to the expense of
opposing what is substantially the same scheme.
9.— In the Queen's Speech at the opening of the present Session it
is stated that a Bill will be submitted to Parliament to improve the
arrangements for Water Supply in the Metropolis, and as the matter is
therefore to be dealt with by the Government it is not expedient that
private Bills on the same subject should be proceeded with.
This Report was adopted, copies were sent to the
local members of the County Council, and the Board
petitioned against the Bills. The New River Purchase
Bill was first dealt with by the House of Commons,
and, after debate, was thrown out on second reading
by a majority of 258 votes to 123. The London
County Council thereupon withdrew the seven other
Bills.
Metropolitan
Water
Commission.
The Government have since appointed a
Royal Commission to enquire into and
report upon the subject. The members of the Commission
are Lord Llandaff (Chairman), Mr. J. W.
Mellor, M.P., Sir J. Dorington, M.P., Sir G. B. Bruce,
C.E., Major-General de Courcy Scott, R.E., Mr. de
Bock Porter, C.B., Mr. H. W. Cripps, Q.C., and Mr.
Robert Lewis. The terms of reference to the commission
are as follows:—
"(1.) To inquire and report whether, having regard to financial
considerations and to present and prospective requirements as regards
water supply in the districts within the limits of supply of the metropolitan
water companies, it is desirable, in the interests of the ratepayers
and water consumers in those districts, that the undertakings of the
water companies should be acquired and managed either (a) by one
authority, or (b) by several authorities, and, if so, what should be such
authority or authorities; to what extent physical severance of the works
and other property and sources of supply of the several companies, and
the division thereof between different local authorities within the limits
of supply, are practicable and desirable, and what are the legal powers
necessary to give effect to any such arrangements.