View report page

78
of lands required for the new street, authorized by Parliament in
1877, from Piccadilly Circus to New Oxford Street. The Vestry
have informed the Board that they strongly object to any further
delay in carrying out the improvement, inasmuch as by the Board
having acquired property, and not utilised the same, the Parish has
already sustained a heavy loss in rates; many families of the
poorer classes have been displaced without other accommodation
having been provided for them; the trade of the locality has
severely suffered in consequence, and the Board have effected
improvements which were not even contemplated when the Act
was passed for the formation of this street.
Another private Bill is being promoted by the Edison and Swan
United Electric Light Company for the amalgamation of the two
Companies, and the transfer to the United Company of the Electric
Lighting Orders granted to each Company last Session. The same
object is being sought by a Provisional Order (see page 46), and the
Bill will probably not be proceeded with.
RAILWAY VENTILATORS ON THE THAMES
EMBANKMENT.
On the 12th April, 1883, the Vestry passed a resolution concurring
with the Board of Works for the Strand District, in
remonstrating against the alienation of land dedicated by
Parliament to public use. The Metropolitan Board of Works
sought for powers from Parliament in the Session of 1883, to
remove all the Ventilators constructed by the Metropolitan District
Railway Company in the public streets and on the Thames
Embankment, but were only partially successful. The Board are
endeavouring this Session to obtain power to remove the remainder
of the ventilators.
THAMES COMMUNICATIONS.
The subject of forming additional means of communication
between the north and south sides of the river east of London
Bridge, has been before the Vestry on one or two occasions, but as
the local authorities of the districts most closely concerned appear