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22
appeal to the Committee of the Lords was likewise without satisfactory
result. An effort was also made to obtain a provision securing
the Parish against any diminution of the rates by the removal of
valuable property in case the railway assessment did not equal the
former. This provision is included in the London and North
"Western Acts as affecting this Parish, and is also inserted in
several Railway Acts of this and former sessions. The promoters
contended that these concessions were always the result of agreement
and not of compulsion, and they successfully resisted them.
Practically the question is one of little importance in this case, as
the Railway Assessment is certain to be an increase upon the
present; but the principle is of importance and might in future
cases have a real and practical import. The Bill contained a clause
exempting the Railway Company from the obligation to remove
manure compost or other offensive matter, which would include
household refuse and street sweepings, and seeing that the scheme
will entirely appropriate one wharf in the Parish now used by a
contractor for the purpose of scavenging and dusting, it was
considered advisable to endeavour to expunge this exemption clause,
and also to secure a yard and siding by the side of the railway.
The promoters resisted the first demand on the ground that the
projected line was to be a purely Metropolitan line, and the second
that they had not land which they could give or even sell for the
purpose required. This demand was reiterated in the House of
Lords, but unsuccessfully.
The Bill was stoutly opposed in the House of Lords by the
Grand Junction Canal Company and other interests, and many
clauses were given for the protection of private interests ; but the
only alteration of public importance made in the Lords Committee,
which can affect this Parish, was a widening of the general waterway
of the Canal where there are no wharves, from 35 feet (the
proposed width), to 40 feet. This may in some respects, and
possibly in Regent's Row, require the taking of more property, but
not to any serious extent. The period allowed for the construction
of the railway and works is six years.