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7
The most important of these were the Fish Market Bill and
the Electric Lighting Bill.
Fish Market
Bill.
As pointed out in the last Report, the Vestry considered it
necessary to petition against the Fish Market Bill, in order to
obtain clauses.
The promoters agreed to clauses, among which were clauses
(1) for having widenings at Hardinge Street and Devonport
Street executed to satisfaction of Surveyor; (2) for preventing
closing of streets; and (3) providing for superintendence of
work; and for paving the carriage-ways of the widened portions.
Of course, the usual protection clauses as to sewers, &c., were
obtained. As will be seen by reference to the List, the Vestry,
having obtained clauses, did its utmost to assist in the passing of
the Bill, and it was ultimately passed.
In addition to the advantages which, it is hoped, will result to
the ratepayers of the Hamlet by the establishment of the Market
itself, the Vestry consider that they have also secured material
advantage to the Parish by the special clauses they obtained.
As was anticipated, the Government took in hand the question
of Electric Lighting, and passed one general Bill, designated
the Electric Lighting Act, 1882. The Act is of a character
which the Vestry venture to say was never before sanctioned
in this country. It virtually hands over the whole power of
legislation with regard to Electricity to the Board of Trade.
Electric
Lighting
Bill.
The Board of Trade are empowered to grant provisional
orders, and to make rules as to the mode of proceeding to be
adopted. Several companies gave notice of proceeding under
the Act as regards this Hamlet, but only one (the "Brush"
Company) carried out the requirements of the Board of Trade.
The rules as issued by the Board of Trade were most difficult
to understand, but, in effect, they provided that the Companies
should deposit a draft of the provisional order, that notice with
copy of the draft order and a plan showing the area proposed
to be supplied should be served on the local authority, and then
that the local authority should state their objections to the draft,
and leave with the Board of Trade a draft showing the order
which the local authority required.
The Vestry considered that the matter was one of the greatest
importance, and accordingly referred it to special committee
of 30 members, consisting of the members of the Parliamentary
and Highways Committees.
The committee considered the question, and with the assistance
of the clerk and surveyor, prepared (as invited by the
Board of Trade) representations to that Board as to certain
provisions which the committee considered should be inserted
in every provisional order. Before these were submitted, the
draft order of the Brush Company was served, and it at once
became apparent that many additional objections would be
required: (Firstly).—The Company proposed to take powers
to supply electricity over areas far greater than their capital
would enable them to do. (2.) That the streets would be