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21
with this subject, but sundry conferences have been held
by the local authorities in which this Vestry has taken
part.
Overhead Wires.—A heavy fall of snow on the 6th
January, 1886, had the effect of bringing into prominence
the dangers arising from the breaking of overhead wires,
for great numbers in the Metropolis were broken by the
snow fall.
The Metropolitan Board of Works took the matter up
as to accidents, and the expediency of measures being
taken, by legislation or otherwise, to secure greater safety
to the public, and asked for information of any damage
which may have been caused by the breakage of overhead
wires within the area under the Vestry's control.
The Board of Works for the Wandsworth District also
drew attention to the matter, and suggested that having
regard to the report of the Select Committee of the House
of Commons of May last to the effect that the risk of
danger to the public from overhead wires had been very
greatly exaggerated, the several road authorities of the
Metropolis should ascertain and record the particulars of
all cases of wires being broken in their respective districts,
with the view of the information being used on behalf of
such authorities in the event of the introduction into
Parliament of a Bill authorising the construction of overhead
Telegraph and Telephone wires on the basis of the
recommendations contained in the Parliamentary Report
above mentioned.
The Surveyor subsequently laid before the Vestry the
letters he had received in answer to his enquiries, by which
it appeared that Post Office wires were broken, as follows: