View report page

15
the widening of Southampton Row had been referred
to a Select Committee of the House of Commons. After
a protracted examination the Bill passed, and the acquisition
of the property has already commenced; it is, however,
much to be regretted that the works connected with
the widening of Southampton Row have not yet been
commenced, the loss of rates is a serious matter.
In connection with the widening of Southampton Row,
the Board have suggested to the Council that the North
side of High Holborn should be widened as far as
No. 107, so as to increase the width of the thoroughfare
at that point to 70 feet. The subject is under consideration
at the present time.
London Covernment Act, 1899.
The most important subject that has engaged the
attention of the Board during the past year have been the
numerous questions which have arisen in consequence of
the passing of the London Government Act, 1899.
In the last Report it was stated that the Government
had determined that the area of the Parliamentary Borough
of Holborn was to be one of the new Metropolitan Boroughs
included in the Schedule to the Bill, and although endeavours
were made to induce the House of Commons to
dissent to this view, they were unsuccessful, and when the
Bill passed into law it was found that the promise made by
the First Lord of the Treasury had been carried out.
Almost immediately after the passing of the Act Commissioners
were appointed; they were Sir Hugh Owen,
K.C.B., late Secretary of the Local Government Board,
who was appointed Chairman, A. T. Lawrence, Esq., Q.C.,
and Sir Samuel Johnson, Town Clerk of Nottingham.