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obstruction had been to some extent abated, when some
summonses were issued by tradesmen in an adjoining
parish against costermongers who stood in front of their
shops. These cases came before the same Magistrate,
and after hearing counsel on behalf of the costermongers
and taking time to consider his judgment, the summonses
were dismissed. At the hearing of the next of
the Board's summonses, the Magistrate stated that he
had come to the conclusion that in view of the police
regulations he had no power to inflict a penalty on
costermongers for obstructing the public way and he
dismissed the summons, although he found as a fact
that the defendant caused an obstruction and was an
annoyance to the inhabitants. The Magistrate at the
same time expressed his willingness to state a case for
appeal, and the necessary steps are being taken by the
Board to bring the matter before the High Court.
Combined
Drainage.
This subject still continues to receive the
attention of the Vestries and District Boards.
The opposition to the Bill of last Session was again
successful in preventing the second reading being
reached. A draft Bill has been prepared and adopted
by the Conference of representatives of Vestries and
District Boards, and the London County Council and
the Metropolitan Members of Parliament have been
requested to support it. The Council have expressed
their willingness to introduce the Bill, but have requested
the Conference to obtain the names of
Members who are willing to take charge of it in the
House of Commons. The Conference are in communication
with Members on the subject with the view
of this being done.
Ventilation
of Sewers.
A Conference of the Surveyors of the several
Vestries and District Boards of the Metropolis
was convened by the Engineer of the London