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petitions presented against it, among such was one by this Board,
enumerating the foregoing objections and deficiencies, and stating that
no controlling power was necessary in the Metropolis, but suggesting
that if Parliament thought it was, that the Metropolitan Board of Works
would be the most fit body wherein to vest such power, by reason of it
having already the control of the Public Sewers, the enforcement of
the Acts relating to contagious diseases in cattle, the cow and slaughter
houses and the prevention of offensive trades; and further that such
Board being elected by the Vestries and District Boards of the Metropolis
would more fairly represent the Metropolis than the Local Government
Board, which is appointed solely by the Government.
The opposition in the House of Commons resulted in the Bill being
withdrawn.
Water Supply.
Early in the present Session, two Bills, called the Water Companies'
Purchase Bill, and the Metropolis Water Supply Bill, were brought
into Parliament by the Metropolitan Board of Works. By the first
Bill it was proposed to purchase the works of the several water
companies of the Metropolis, at an estimated cost of £25,000,000,
the present income of which is stated to be about £1,300,000, which
would not pay 4 per cent, on the capital outlay. By the other Bill
it was proposed to establish a new water supply at an estimated cost
of five and a-half millions. Very considerable opposition was made
to these Bills in Parliament, and numerous petitions, including a
petition by this Board, were presented against them, and the Government
declining to consent to their being referred to a Special Committee,
the same were subsequently withdrawn by the promoters.
Artizans and Labourers' Dwellings Improvement Act,
1875.
GREAT WILD STREET SCHEME.
The Metropolitan Board of Works, in compliance with the condition
annexed to the approval of this Scheme by the Home Secretary have
purchased the houses Nos. 134 to 137, Drury Lane, and are reported
to be in negotiation with the owners and occupiers for the acquisition
of the leasehold houses and premises, situate in Princess Street and
Great Wild Street, required for carrying the same into effect.
LITTLE CORAM STEEET SCHEME.
The Metropolitan Board of Works have by its Committee viewed
the area and buildings comprised in the Representation made under
this Act by Dr. Lovett, the Medical Officer of Health, but the same is
still under the consideration of the Board, and in view of the numerous
other Representations of unhealthy areas in the Metropolis, made
prior to this scheme, it is believed that considerable time will elapse
before that Board wiil be able to deal with it.