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10. Having regard to these facts it seems curious that whilst the Metropolitan Local
Authorities have been unable to obtain the required relief in this matter, a Provincial
Authority adjoining London, viz. : the West Ham Corporation, has attained the object
in view by inserting in a private Bill promoted by that body and passed in the last
Session of Parliament, a Clause which amends in the desired way the definition of the
word "drain" so far as the Borough of West Ham is concerned. Your Committee cannot
but consider it a striking anomaly that Parliament should not yet have granted similar
advantages to the County of London.
11. In the opinion of your Committee it is necessary, in order to secure the passing
of the measure, that there should be a combined and determined expression of the views
of the Local Authorities of London as to the urgent need for the amendment of the present
definition of the word "drain," and it is also necessary to obtain the active assistance
of the London County Council and of the Metropolitan Members of Parliament.
12. Your Committee accordingly recommend: —
(a) That a copy of this report be forwarded to the London County Council, and
that they be urged to take upon themselves the duty of introducing and promoting
as a county Bill a measure dealing with the question in the next Session of Parliament.
(b) That copies of this report, the draft Bill approved by the Conference and
the Section of the West Ham Act referred to in paragraph 10 be also communicated
to the various Vestries and District Boards, and that they be requested to press upon
the London County Council the necessity of taking such action as is above suggested.
(c) That the Local Authorities be also asked to communicate with the Members of
Parliament representing their respective Districts, and to endeavour to obtain their
active co-operation in the promotion of the Bill through the various stages of the
House, and especially of balloting for the Bill with the view of securing an early date
for the second reading.
H. G. HILLS,
Holborn Town Hall, W.C., Chairman.
8th November, 1898.
Clause before referred to.
Section 42. In and for the purposes of Section 41 of the Act of 1893, the word "drain "
shall bo deemed to include any sewer or drain, whether constructed before or after the
passing of this Act, with which two or more houses or premises (whether belonging to the