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30
OVERHEAD WIRES.
The subject of wires stretched over public highways, without any
control to ensure the safety and convenience of the public, has engaged
the attention of the Vestry, in common with that of the other authorities
in the Metropolis. It appears necessary there should bo efficient control
over the companies and persons erecting the wires. At present it
is uncertain what the law really is. Actions and proceedings to test it
are ponding, but in all probability legislation on the subject will be
found necessary.
WATER SUPPLY.
The Vestry agreed to concur in pressing upon the Government to
take steps to limit the power of Water Companies to increase thenratings
on increased New Assessments. With that view, a deputation
from Vestries and District Boards of the Metropolis waited on the
Home Secretary. He seems to have manifested no desire to assist.
The Vestry petitioned the House of Commons in favour of a Bill,
promoted by tho Corporation of the City of London, "To make
provision for the supply of water by measure within the limits of the
Metropolis, and certain places in the neighbourhood thereof, by the
Companies authorised to supply water within such limits, to amend the
Acts relating to the said Companies as to charges, dividends, and the
issue of new capital, and for other purposes." It did not seem
probable the Bill, as drawn, would pass, but it was considered capable
of being so modified as to be a desirable, useful measure. However,
the Bill did not get into committee, having been thrown out on tho
second reading.
Messrs. Abbott, Hilditch, Jacobs, Jones, Pickard, and Staines, have
been appointed to attend a Conference, at St. Luke's Vestry Hall, of
the Local Authorities in whose Districts the New River Company and
the East London Waterworks Company have a monopoly of supply.
The Vestry considered the judgment of the House of Lords in the
case of Dobbs against the Grand Junction Waterworks Company, but
it did not appear that it was open to them to take any steps respecting
it. The broad principle laid down by the judgment is, that annual
value means net, not gross annual value ; or to put it popularly, means
that amount which a person receiving rent would have left to spend
after payment of rates and taxes, and providing for cost of repairs and