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of the Metropolis Art, 1669, and your Petitioners have reason
to believe that in many cases a considerable increase in the
ratable value of premises within their District will be the
result.
" That in the event, as anticipated, of an increase in the
assessments, the said Companies will be entitled to increase
their charges pro rata, without any equivalent to the consumers.
" Your Petitioners submit that gross injustice will thereby
be done to the consumers, and it is desirable that pending a
settlement of the question of Water Supply generally, provisional
measures should be adopted without delay to limit
or suspend the powers of the Companies so to increase their
charges.
" The Bill above referred to will, in the opinion of your
Petitioners, accomplish the object in view if passed into an
Act.
" Your Petitioners therefore humbly pray your Honourable
House that the said Bill may Pass into law
during the present Session of Parliament.
" And your Petitioners will ever pray, &c
" Sealed in the presence of
" W. H. ATKINS,
" Clerk of the Hoard.
" 11th July, 1889."
Meanwhile, a further communication was received from the
Vestry of St. James, Westminster, inviting this and other
Local Authorities to appoint Delegates to attend a Conference
on the subject of Water Supply. The Board appointed
Messrs. Meikle, Moore, and Sinclair. Subsequently, a letter
was received from the Vestry of St. Margaret and St. John,
Westminster, suggesting that a deputation representing
the Rating Authorities and the London County Council should
seek an interview with the President of the Local Government
Board, and ask him to re-consider his decision as communicated
in the two replies above referred to; and, in the event of
Her Majesty's Government being unable to promote a Bill,
submit to him the importance of the Government affording
facilities for the consideration of the measure introduced by
Mr. Causton. The letter also requested this Board, either to
appoint Delegates to join in the proposed deputation, or