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182
of considering any scheme for the amendment of the law
relating to the subject, before the same was submitted to the
Home Secretary, or to Parliament. In reply, the Board
stated that in the event of their deciding to lay before
Her Majesty's Government any suggestions for the reform
of the local government of the Metropolis, they would,
doubtless, communicate their suggestions to the Vestries and
District Boards.
Up to the end of the year, however, the Vestry had not
received from the Board any such suggestions.
The Vestry have had under consideration a scheme for the
amendment of the local government of the Metropolis, prepared
by the Vestry of Islington, but have not deemed it
expedient to express any opinion thereon.
OVERHEAD WIRES.
It was stated in the last Annual Report of the Vestry
that proceedings had been commenced by the Vestry of St.
Marylebone, on behalf of themselves and other local
authorities in the Metropolis, against one of the Telephone
Companies, with a view to obtain a decision of the Courts
upon the present state of the law with respect to the erection
and maintenance of overhead wires. Before the action
came on for hearing, two judgments were given by the Court
of Appeal in proceedings instituted against the United Telephone
Company by the Corporation of Bristol and the Wandsworth
District Board of Works respectively, to the effect,
shortly, that under the existing law, road authorities do not
possess any general power of control over the erection of
wires for telephones or similar purposes, although they may
proceed by injunction, indictment, or otherwise, in the case
of trespass, or if any particular wire is in such a condition
as to be dangerous to the public.