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The consequence of which will be, if the Bill should become law, that
your District will suffer a loss when the property is demolished, and
until the surplus land is built on, to the extent of nearly £4,000 per
annum.
North Metropolitan Tramways.
The North Metropolitan Tramways Company issued notices, and
deposited plans and Bill for the formation of various lines of tramway
in the Metropolis, including lines in Vernon Place and the South side
of Bloomsbury Square.
The formation of these tramways, with their objectionable noise, the
occupation of the public ways by the tram cars, and the inevitable ruts
and dangerous condition of the paving, which seems to be necessarily
attendant upon all tramways, was considered by your Board would be
highly detrimental to the class of property in Bloomsbury Square and
its vicinity, and would moreover be in direct contravention of an Act
of Parliament, passed in 1806, intituled, "An Act for ornamenting
and embellishing the centre or area of Bloomsbury Square," and which
Act expressly prohibited the plying for hire of any hackney coach
within the Square, or within the distance of 300 ft. of any house forming
part of the said Square. Your Board accordingly petitioned the
House of Commons against the Bill, and appeared by Counsel before
the Parliamentary Committee in support of its petition. The Board's
opposition was successful, and that portion of the scheme of the
Tramway Company was rejected by the Committee.
I have the honour to remain,
Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
G. WALLACE,
Surveyor.