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34
Owing to the neglect of the Office of Works to raise this
portion of wall, the works carried out by the wharf owners
are rendered practically useless, as, were exceptionally high
tides to occur the water would pass over the pathway at the
spot mentioned, and from thence enter the wharves from the
sides next the roadway, and, if the tide were sufficiently
high, pass over the roadway and flood a large portion of the
South Belgravia District. The Vestry understand that the
Metropolitan Board of Works have from time to time
requested H.M. Office of Works to give orders for the portion
of river wall in question to be raised. Government property is
exempted from the operation of the Metropolis Management
(Thames River Prevention of Floods) Amendment Act, 1879;
and the Metropolitan Board are therefore powerless to
enforce the work, and have no authority to incur the expense
of carrying it out.
The Vestry have remonstrated ineffectually with H.M.
Office of Works on the subject. They trust that their fears
of inundation from this spot may not be realized.
Proposed Alteration in the Government of London.
The attention of the Vestry having been called to the
expressed intention of the Government to bring before the
House of Commons a Bill for the reform of the ancient and
distinguished Corporation of London, and the extension of
Municipal Government at large, the following resolution
was unanimously passed on the subject, viz.:—
That this Vestry desires to ensure efficient management
and control over local affairs by local authorities, in
any measure that may be introduced for the creation
of a general governing body for the whole Metropolis.
A copy of this resolution was communicated to the
Home Secretary and each of the Metropolitan Yestries and
District Boards of Works.