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introduce a Bill into Parliament, to be entitled "The Thames
Floods Prevention Bill," having for its object the strengthening of
the hands of the local authorities in compelling the raising of
embankments, &c., pursuant to sections 69 and 70 of the Metropolis
Local Management Act. Subsequently, upon the application of a
numerous and influential deputation of inhabitants, headed by
John Locke, Esq. Q.C., M.P., who waited upon this Board to urge
the necessity of defensive works being promptly undertaken, a
Special Committee was appointed, with authority, to survey the
whole of the river frontage in this district, and adopt such
temporary precautions as might be deemed requisite. This
Committee proceeded to serve notices upon the owners of property
abutting upon the river to raise their several frontages, pursuant
to the sections of the Act referred to; but, save in one or
two instances, the requirements of the notices were not attended
to. Finding this to be the case, and that the compulsory powers
vested in the Board were insufficient for the purpose in view, this
Board, in March last, invited the several Metropolitan Vestries and
District Boards of Works, whose districts were similarly affected
by tidal overflows, to appoint delegates or representatives to attend
a conference upon the subject with a view to united action being
taken; and, at a meeting of such delegates, held in the St. Saviour's
Board Room on the 4th April last, the several districts of Fulham,
Lambeth, Limehouse, Rotherhithe, St. Olave's, and Wandsworth
being represented, it was unanimously resolved, that in the opinion
of the Meeting, it was imperative that measures should be taken
to prevent the inundations complained of; that the required works
should be carried out by the Metropolitan Board of Works, and the
cost thereof defrayed out of the Metropolitan Consolidated Rate.
A representation to this effect was shortly afterwards made to the
Metropolitan Board, who meanwhile had fully investigated the
whole question ; and it has lately been announced that the Bill,
which it is intended to introduce into Parliament, has been
prepared and will be proceeded with at the earliest opportunity.
On receipt of a Circular-Letter from the Westminster Board of School Boar
Works, calling attention to the enormous and inc reasing expenditure.