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before, if he should think fit, instead of after obtaining the
consent of the road authority.
That all persons, including the road authority, desiring
to object, should send in their objections to the Postmaster-General
within a stated period.
That the objections should be referred to the County
Court Judge, who should be empowered to make an order
authorising the erection of the line on such conditions
as might be deemed just, and that if an appeal were
thought necessary it should be made to the Railway
Commissioners.
The Select Committee further suggested that the Postmaster-General
should be allowed to make attachments
to private property with the consent of the occupier, but
that the occupier's consent should hold good during the
term of his occupation only; that the provisions of the
existing Acts, inconsistent with the foregoing suggestions
fchould be repealed, and especially the provision requiring
the Postmaster-General to obtain the consent of the
occupier of every dwelling-house within 30 feet of a
pole.
The Telephone Companies, it was explained, acted
under the license of the Postmaster-General, to whom
they paid a royalty, and the Committee recommended
that the licensees of the Post Office should have the
same powers with regard to the running of their wires as
the Postmaster-General; subject, however, to the proviso
that their wires should not be allowed to interfere with
those required for the general public telegraphic servicc.
The Select Committee was of opinion that, under
proper regulations, permission should be given to pass
wires over property without the owners or occupiers
having the right of prohibition; but that this facility
should not confer upon those enjoying it any vested
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