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15
Columbia Market & North London Railway.
Two Bills having a combined object were introduced. The
Columbia Market project was to form a branch line from the North
London Railway into the Market, crossing over Hackney road, and
with proper lifts, &c., to provide means for taking trucks laden
with provisions directly from practically all the railways in the
Metropolis to the Market, and also of removing market produce
therefrom. The North London Bill was to provide the necessary
sidings, &c., to enable the Columbia Market branch to be worked.
The Vestry required and obtained the necessary protective clauses,
and the Bills passed.
Regents Canal and Railway Bill.
The object of this Bill was to remove a restriction as to the
conditions under which capital was to be raised, and to authorise
the work to be carried out in sections. The Vestry gave a modified
support, and the Bill passed. It would be premature to offer
any opinion as to how far the powers obtained by this Act will
facilitate the progress of the undertaking.
Sanitary, &c.
An important Bill is now before Parliament—the Criminal Law
Amendment Bill* which will enable the Police Authorities to deal
with the keepers of, and also persons letting or continuing to let
houses for immoral purposes, under the Summary Jurisdiction Acts.
This, it is hoped, will much simplify the process of prosecution, and
remove from the Parochial Officials a duty which they are by no
means fitted to discharge.
An important measure bearing upon sanitary matters and the
duties of Sanitary Authorities is also before Parliament—the
" Housing of the Working Classes Bill" *. It makes important
amendments to several important Acts, and will be the subject of a
more complete digest than can be given in this Report.
* Since passed.