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35
The Vestry concurred in the views expressed in
the correspondence, and so informed the Local
Government Board.
Water Companies (Regulations of Powers)
Act, 1887.—This Act, which took away the powers
of the Water Companies to cut off water for
non-payment of water rate, where the owner,
and not the tenant, was liable for the payment
thereof, has been under the consideration of
the Vestry. With the view of its provisions being
widely known, they have been printed upon the
back of the rate notices, and similar notices have
been sent to the occupiers of tenement houses and
others whom the rate notices do not reach.
The Vestry have also considered the question of
the desirability of obtaining an amendment of the
law by taking away the power of the Companies to
cut off water from houses which are under the
constant supply system if the fittings are in such a
state as to occasion waste of water; and they are of
opinion that in the interests of public health it is
highly desirable that such an amendment should
take place. After communicating with the other
local authorities of the Metropolis, they requested
Captain Penton, M.P., to introduce a Bill into
Parliament to give power to the Companies or the
local authorities to carry out the necessary works
in cases of waste and to recover the costs from the
owners, and he has undertaken to do this in the
next Session.
United Telephone Company's Bill—At the
Meeting of the Yestiy on the 16th February,
1888, a letter wras read from the Vestry of St.
James, Westminster, forwarding resolution passed
by them—" That the attention of Her Majesty's
Government be called to the proposal of the United