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81
For alterations—in the Public Health (Dairies, &c.) Bill, so as to
provide for the inspection and regulation of Dairies, etc., being
placed under the local sanitary authorities instead of the Metropolitan
Board of Works, as proposed, but the latter to make regulations
for the whole Metropolis, to ensure uniformity. In the
Factories and Workshops' Amendment Bill, for the omission of a
clause prohibiting the erection of a bakehouse unless one half of its
height was above the level of the street, or ground adjoining, and
in support of a clause conferring powers of inspection, etc., on the
local sanitary authority; and in the Metropolitan Board of Works
(Fire Brigade Expenses) with a view to the Fire Brigade Rate
being limited to one penny in the pound.
Against—the United Telephone Company's Bill, which is referred
to at greater length in a subsequent paragraph.
The Public Health (Dairies, &c.) Bill did not pass, and the clause
relating to underground bakehouses was omitted from the Factories
and Workshops Amendment Bill; further particulars of the Factories
and Workshops Amendment Act are given on page 60. The
Metropolitan Board of Works (Fire Brigade Expenses) Bill is still
before Parliament.
As regards other Bills introduced into Parliament during the
present session, the Vestry have expressed a general approval of the
Metropolitan Railway (Park Railway and Parliament Street
Improvement) and the Metropolis Water Bills; and dissent from
the Hammersmith and Falham Recreation Ground, the Metropolitan
Board of Works (Thames Crossings), so far as relates to a proposed
tunnel at Nightingale Lane, and the United Telephone Company's
Bills.
The last-mentioned Bill has especially engaged attention. Its
main provisions are to authorize the United Telephone Company
to lay or suspend wires in or over streets subject to certain
restrictions. The introduction of the Bill appeared to the Vestry
to afford a favourable opportunity for general legislation on the
subject, it being manifestly objectionable that so large a question