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carriage traffic of any kind, or for foot passengers only. The
Board therefore resolved to oppose the Bill, and instructed Mr.
Charles Greenwood to prepare and lodge the necessary petition.
The Bill was read a second time on the 18th February, and
referred to a Select Committee of the House of Commons, presided
over by Mr. Walter, M.P., who sat on the 9th May and following
days to consider same. The Bill was also opposed by the Corporation
of the City of London, on the ground mainly of possible
injury to London Bridge, and by the Vestry of St. George-theMartyr,
whose objections were similar to those of this Board. In
the course of the proceedings it was elicited that it was the
intention of the promoters to construct a double line of subway,
consisting of cast-iron tubes, each about ten feet in diameter, lined
with white glazed bricks, and lighted by electricity, and to run
a carriage or tramcar through the same by means of wire-rope
cables attached to stationary engines on the principle of the steep
grade tramway lately opened at Highgate; such subway to be
approached by staircases and hydraulic lifts. The objectionable
33rd Section, enabling the promoters to stop up streets, was withdrawn
with their consent, and they also consented to the insertion
of various clauses for the protection of local authorities. After
the case had been before the Committee for six days and counsel
had been heard and witnesses examined for and against the scheme
(Messrs. Rider, Mills, and Goodwin, Members of this Board, and Mr.
Norrish, the Surveyor, giving evidence in opposition thereto), the
Committee decided that the preamble had been proved subject to
the amendments they had made, and which will require the
insertion of clauses giving a fuller description of the undertaking
and mode of working the traffic; providing for the certification
of the tramway by the Board of Trade before it is opened for
traffic; the impounding of the deposit as security for the completion
of the work; the restoration of the roadways at the expense
of the promoters; giving the right to the Engineer of the Corporation
to inspect and stop the works if necessary by reference to an
arbitrator; for restricting the limits of deviation on the south side
of the river, and forbidding the construction of any part of the
tubes below the level of the piles of London Bridge, or within a