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various opponents of the Bill, came to the following Resolution:—
That the most equitable mode of charging and meeting expenses to be
incurred for the prevention of floods within the Metropolitan District,
would be that the works should be carried into effect by the Metropolitan
Board of Works, and the expenses paid out of a rate levied
over the whole Metropolitan area.
In consequence of this Resolution, the Metropolitan Board of
Works immediately withdrew the Bill.
The Metropolitan Board not having given notice of its intention
to introduce during the Session of 1878 any further Bill for the
purpose in view, this Board, on the 28th November last, forwarded
a Memorial to the Right Honourable Richard Assheton Cross,
the Home Secretary, urging him to use his influence with the
Metropolitan Board of Works to promote the required legislation
based on the recommendation of the Select Committee above
referred to.
In consequence, it is believed, of the pressure and influence of
Mr. Cross, the Home Secretary, in the matter, the Metropolitan
Board of Works did, on the 1st February, pass certain resolutions
laying down the principles of a new Bill; and, on the 9th April,
Sir James M'Garel-Hogg, M.P., the Chairman, moved in the
House of Commons for leave to bring in a Bill "To amend the
Metropolis Management Act, 1855, relating to the protection of
the Metropolis from floods and inundations caused by the overflow
of the River Thames." This application was opposed; and, in
consequence of the Rules of the House of Commons relating to
opposed motions, the Bill has not yet been introduced.
The Metropolitan Board of Works, in the Bill so sought to be
introduced, having, in the opinion of this Board, ignored the
recommendation of the Select Committee of the House of Commons,
this Board, on the 8th May last, presented a Memorial to the Home
Secretary, praying the Government to urge upon the Metropolitan
Board of Works the necessity of so amending the proposed Bill, as
to give effect to that recommendation, and several communications
have passed between the Home Secretary and the Metropolitan
Board, but without effect.
In the meantime, as a temporary measure of precaution, this
Board has caused barriers to be erected at the entrances of the several