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59
development of our towns, and put into the public purse the
unearned increment of land, and the other profits of development.
2. That copies of the foregoing resolution be sent to the Prime
Minister, the President of the Local Government board, Sir Henry
Campbell Banner man, M.P., and the Metropolitan Members of Parliament
and that the London County Council, the City Corporation, and the
Metropolitan Borough Councils and Boards of Guardians be asked to
petition Parliament in favour of the Bill.
The Bill has since been dropped.
83. No action was taken with regard to the other Bills above
mentioned.
84. The Metropolitan Paving Committee, which consists of repre-
Openings
in Roads.
sedatives of a number of Metropolitan Borough Councils,
have had under consideration the subject of the injurious
effect upon paving works of the openings made in streets by public
Companies, and the great inconvenience and obstruction to traffic
caused by the inspection and repair of their works in public streets,
by the Postmaster-General, the Electric Light and other Companies.
The Paving Committee were strongly of opinion that some further
powers should be given to local authorities for the protection of traders
and the public generally; and with a view to formulating proposals
for strengthening the position of Borough Councils in this direction,
convened a Conference of representatives of Metropolitan Local
Authorities on the subject.
85. The Conference was held at the Westminster City Hall on
the 19th May, when Councillors Glegg and Wise, together with the
Town Clerk and the Surveyors, attended as the representatives of this
Council, and a resolution was passed expressing the opinion that
greater power and control should be given to the Highway Authorities
with regard to the opening of public streets for the purposes of gas,
water, hydraulic, electric, telephonic, telegraphic, tramway, and similar
undertakings, and that a Bill should be introduced into Parliament by
the Government embodying model clauses for the better protection of
the local authorities with the view of the same being made applicable
to all undertakings involving interference with the public streets.
The Conference decided to ask the Prime Minister and the President
of the Local Government Board to receive a deputation in support of