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138
The Council is advised that the prospect of obtaining the powers
sought by the Bill has not improved, as the legislation required
would constitute an amendment of the Metropolis Management
Acts.
I am also directed to draw your attention to the reply of Mr.
Walter Long, President of the Local Government Board, to the
deputation of representatives of the Association of Municipal Corporations
and of a conference held in Glasgow. The deputation
waited on Mr. Long on 4th February, 1904, and the reply was to
the effect that combined drainage was a very complicated matter
and that if he could find a satisfactory and practically non-controversial
remedy, he would be glad to deal with the difficulty.
In these circumstances, the Council suggested to the Council of
the Metropolitan Borough of St. Pancras, in reply to its letter of
12th February, 1904, that a joint representation should be made
to the Government with a view to the question of combined
drainage being dealt with as a public measure.
The Borough Council has expressed itself in favour of the suggestion.
I have accordingly been directed to enquire whether the
Borough Councils, which have expressed themselves in favour of
the proposals in the letter, dated 12th February, 1904, from the
St. Pancras Metropolitan Borough Council, are prepared to support
the suggestion that a joint representation should be made to the
Government. Before any such representation is made, however,
it would appear necessary that the particular amendments of the
law required should be carefully considered, and I am to suggest
that the Metropolitan Borough Councils which are moving in the
matter should endeavour to come to some arrangement on this
point, and should formulate such amendments as appear to them
to be desirable.
I am, Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
(Signed) G. L. GOMME,
Clerk of the Council.
The Town Clerk, Poplar.