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123.
That London Local Authorities, with three exceptions, have not now the power to purchase
land for their public buildings, except by agreement. Two of such exceptions are the School
Board for London and the Metropolitan Asylums Board, who can purchase compulsorily under
the Lands Clauses Act after public enquiry and obtaining the consent of the Local Government
Board, who make a Provisional Order, which has to be confirmed by Parliament: and under
the Local Government Act, 1894, Parish Councils are given this power, and every Local
Board also has it under the Public Health Act, 1875, and in one case in London where the
Public Health Act, 1875, applies, namely, the Parish of Woolwich.
That a Bill has been introduced into your Honourable House, intituled, "A Bill to enable
London Local Authorities to acquire freehold land for public buildings," which provides for
the purchase of freehold land by compulsion if necessary after an enquiry by the Local
Government Board, and a Provisional Order confirmed by Palianment, so that the public
buildings erected out of rates may be built in the most central and commanding position
neceessary for the convenience of the locality, sod will Urns enable important buildings to be an
architectoral adornment of selected sites, instead of being placed only where land can be
acquired by agreement.
Your Petitioners therefore humbly pray their your Honourable House will pass the said
Bill into law.
And your Petitioners will ever pray, &c.
Sealed by Order of the Rotherhithe Vestry,
this 7th day of April, 1896.
(Signed) JAMBS J. STROKES,
Vestry Clerk.
South Eastern Railway Company.
On the 1st December, 1896, the Vestry had submitted to them notice of the intention
of the Sooth Eastern Railway Company to make application in the ensuing Session of
Parliament lor leave to bring in a Bill tor, inter alia, the following purposes, and the deposited
plans in reference thereto:—
To authorise the Company to make and maintain the railways and the widenings
of the portions of their existing railways hereinafter described, with all proper station,
sidings, roads, approaches, works and conveniences connected therewith (that is to
say)-