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482
Lambeth Water Works,
31st January, 1893.
Messrs. Riddell, Vaizey & Smith, 9, John Street, Bedford Row.
Gentlemen,
I am desired to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 28th
instant, which was submitted to the Directors at their meeting to-day, and
I am to observe, in reply, that you are of course at liberty to come to any
conclusion on any matter that you may see fit.
I am, Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
S. H. LOUTTIT,
Secretary and General Manager.
Comment of any kind would only lessen the effect of
this remarkable correspondence, and it is doubtful if any
Company or Public Body ever placed itself in so unenviable
a position. But it may perhaps be asked why are not
proceedings begun against the Company? First, because
it is the business of the party who makes a claim to enforce
it, not of the party who denies the right. Next, because it
should be observed that the Lambeth Company have been
very careful never to attempt to compel or enforce
payment of the disputed charge. The Company, in
the letters of its Secretary and of its Surveyor, state that
money remains due and request payment, but they carefully
avoid going beyond a request. Doubtless in so doing they
are acting under legal advice. They persist in claiming the
charge in letters and correspondence. They have been
careful hitherto not to take legal proceedings. They know
that, as a Company, they can afford heavy law costs. The
bath-charge is worth several thousands a year to them.
They know that to each individual it is a question of 10s. a
year. They have everything to gain by delay, and if the