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183
Under these circumstances the Vestry, of St. Marylebone
suggested to the Vestries which were co-operating with them
that their test action should be abandoned, and that the
Government should be reminded of the hope held out by Sir
Charles Dilke to the deputation from the Local Authorities of
the Metropolis which waited on him in 1883, that if existing
legislation were proved to be insufficient the Government
would obtain further powers for the Local Authorities. The
Vestry fully endorsed these views, and, accordingly, communicated
with the Local Government Board on the subject,
and received, with some satisfaction, a reply from the Board
stating that although it was impossible to deal with the
matter by legislation during the then present session, and
the Government could not say what Bills they might introduce
in the following year, there would probably be an
advantage if a Select Committee were appointed to inquire
into the subject, and the Board would consider whether steps
should be taken early next year with this object.
It may be remarked that in January, 1884, the Vestry
urged the Government to take the opportunity of a private
Bill being deposited by the United Telephone Company, to
refer the whole matter to a Select Committee, with a view
to the framing of a public Bill, but without success.
The Local Government Board having subsequently stated
definitely that they intended to take steps for the appointment
of a Select Parliamentary Committee to consider the
question of controlling the erection and maintenance of overhead
wires, the Vestry drew up a series of points to which
they considered the opinion of the Select Committee should
be directed, and forwarded a copy thereof to the Local
Government Board and to the various Vestries and District
Boards of the Metropolis.
In accordance with the promise of the Local Government
Board, a Select Committee was appointed by the House of