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And thereupon the Committee adjourned to the 7th of June,
when a series of plans and estimates were produced, among
them one for works in the Fulham District, estimated at £6,300.
Having received a copy of the plan and estimate, so far as
related to the Fulham District, and having carefully considered
the estimate and examined the plan, after a detailed inspection
of the banks of the River, the Board were, by their counsel, able
to show the defectiveness of the Metropolitan Board's scheme,
and the utter inadequacy of the estimate to the work required,
and this point has received a striking exemplification during
the present Session, when the estimate for Fulham is increased
from £6,300 to £12,574. At the conclusion of the case for the
promoters, the various opponents were heard, and after deliberation
the Committee resolved," That the most equitable
"mode of charging and meeting the expenses to be incurred
"for the prevention of Floods within the Metropolitan District
"would be, that the works should be carried into effect by the
"Metropolitan Board of Works, and the expenses paid by a
"rate levied over the whole Metropolitan area."
Upon this resolution complying with and meeting the prayer
of this Board's and various other opponents' petitions, the Metropolitan
Board of Works stated their intention of withdrawing
the Bill.
This Board, feeling the, responsibility of the necessity for
works of protection being carried out, entered into communication
with her Majesty's Government, and by memorials and
deputation to the Home Secretary, urged upon the Government
to bring in some Bill dealing with the question in the manner
approved by the Committee of the House of Commons.
The Government has been in communication with the Metropolitan
Board upon the subject, but to the surprise and alarm
of the Board the Metropolitan Board are now seeking for leave
to introduce a Bill into Parliament, whereby they seek to revoke
the law and to establish the liability of riverside owners, and,
while accepting the decision of the Select Committee so far
as compensation is concerned, and proposing to make it a
charge upon the Metropolis, the Metropolitan Board rejects
that decision as regards the cost incurred in the execution,
maintenance, repair and alteration of all defensive works, and
the new estimate for works in this District is £12,574. The
Board, immediately upon learning the nature of this proposition,
put themselves in communication with the various
riparian parishes, and has reason to believe that this attempt of