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8
virtually at the mercy of the company, who might carry wires
either over or underground; and (3) that the company proposed
in the first instance to take only the cream of the parish as the
area of immediate supply—but at the same time they virtually
obtained a monopoly in the parish for a period of at least
2½-years. The Committee accordingly proceeded to examine
the draft order of the company, and ultimately submitted a
report to the Vestry, recommending no less than 77 specific
objections, and representations to the Board of Trade. The
Vestry adopted the Report.
In March, the Board of Trade having had before it representations
and objections from all parts of the country, itself issued
model clauses.
These were in many instances undoubtedly framed more in
the interest of the local authorities, but the Board of Trade still
remained supreme. The Committee most carefully went
through the model clauses, and ultimately submitted 30 further
suggestions and criticisms to the Board of Trade. It is apparent
upon the face of things, that the Board of Trade itself feels
that the subject being so comparatively little known at present
is a most difficult matter to deal with. The Committee felt that
the matter of Electric Lighting is being pushed on with undue
speed, and in this the Vestry have concurred with them. It is
desired that the Board of Trade should not sanction wholesale
provisional orders to companies until some further knowledge
is acquired, as it would be a great loss to the ratepayers if the
action of the Electric Lighting Companies should in some places
drive the Gas Gompanies to discontinue supply, and then the
Electric Companies find themselves unable to perform their
obligations. The Vestry have had sad experience in dealing
with the Gas and Water Companies with regard to reinstating
roads, and the Vestry desire if possible to obtain greater powers
of dealing with Electric Lighting Companies in that respect.
The matter is still under the consideration of the Board of
Trade.
Gas to
Public
Lamps.
The Vestry having regard to many circumstances which came
to their knowledge, deemed that a fitting time had arrived to
communicate with the Commercial Gas Company with a view
of obtaining a further reduction of the price charged for gas
supplied for the public lamps. They accordingly did so, but
the Company replied that having regard to the comparatively
short time which had elapsed since the last reduction, they did
not consider that the time had arrived.
Dusting
and
Cleansing.
During the year the Vestry with a view if possible to further
relieve the ratepayers, determined to undertake the task of
having the dust and rubbish sorted by its own servants, so as to
make it into a merchantable commodity. The Great Eastern
Railway having offered a site on which the sorting process