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matters relating thereto, agreeably to the request of the
local authorities of London.
"3. That, inasmuch as the National Telephone Company
is not possessed of statutory powers for placing mains,
pipes or wires underneath the streets of the Metropolis, it
is undesirable that local authorities shculd give the
Company permission to lay mains until the interests of the
public are duly secured by statute as in the case of tramways
and electric-lighting undertakings, and subject always
to the previous consent of the road authority.
"4. That This meeting of Metropolitan Delegates expresses
its entire approval of the City Corporation's action
on the telephone question, and also its thanks for the
convening of this Conference.
"5. That the best thanks of this meeting be presented
to the Chairman, Alpheus Cleophas Morton, Esq., for
presiding, and for his public spirited efforts to obtain an
improved and cheaper telephone service for London, as
well for the trouble taken by him in the matter.
"6. That copies of the resolutions be forwarded to the
Treasury, the Corporation of London, the London County
Council, the Vestries and District Boards of the Metropolis,
and every Municipality in the United Kingdom."
Later on the Board received a letter from the London
County Council referring to the fact that the House of Commons
had appointed a Select Committee to inquire and report
"whether the telephone service is or is not calculated to become
of such general benefit as to justify its being undertaken by
municipal and other local authorities, regard being had to local
finance ; and, if so, whether such local authorities should have
power to undertake such service in the districts of other local
authorities outside the area of their own jurisdiction, but comprised
wholly or partially in the same telephone area, and what
powers, duties and obligations ought to be conferred or imposed
upon such local authorities," and requesting the Board to
appoint representatives to attend a Conference at the County
Hall, Spring Gardens, to discuss the subject and determine as
to the evidence to be submitted to the Select Committee. The
Board authorised its former delegates, Mr. G. J. Newton and
Mr. B. White, to attend, and appointed Mr. F. H. Hendrichs
in the place of Mr. Henry J. Coles, who had resigned, to act on
its behalf. The Conference was held at the County Hall
accordingly on the 14th June, and the following resolutions
were passed: