The Artizans' Dwellings Act, 1882, 45 & 46 Vict. c. 54, further amends in various particulars the provisions of the Acts of 1875 and 1879.

The Housing of the Working Classes Act, 1885, 48 & 49 Vict. c. 72, authorises the board, subject to the approval of a Secretary of State, to adopt for the metropolis the Labouring Classes Lodging Houses Acts, 1851 to 1867, which empower local authorities to acquire land and erect buildings for the purposes of the Acts. The question whether a block of houses unfit for habitation should be dealt with by the board. under the Artizans', &c., Dwellings Improvement Acts, or by the local authority, may be decided by a Secretary of State.

Acts of Parliament have been passed confirming schemes under the Artizans and Labourers' Dwellings Improvement Acts, for the improvement of areas situated as follows:

The Finsbury Park Act, 1857, 20 & 21 Vict. c. cl., empowers the board to provide a park in the parishes of Islington and Hornsey, and to take land compulsorily for the purpose.

The Southwark Park Act, 1864, 27 Vict. c. iv., empowers the board to form a park in the parish of Rotherhithe, and to take land compulsorily for the purpose.

The Victoria Park Act, 1872, 35 & 36 Vict. c. 53, confirms an agreement made by the board with the Commissioners of Woods and Forests to purchase, for the sum of £20,450, certain land adjoining Victoria Park; such land to be added to and to form part of the park.

The London Parks and Works Act, 1887, 50 & 51 Vict. c. 34, transfers to the board the management and control of Victoria Park, Battersea Park, Kennington Park, Bethnal Green Museum Garden, Westminster Bridge, and the Grosvenor Road embankment, all of which had been previously maintained by the Commissioners of Her Majesty's Works and Public Buildings.

The Gardens in Towns Protection Act, 1863, 26 Vict. c. 13.—Under this Act any garden or ornamental ground in the metropolis (except in the city of London) set apart for the use of the inhabitants, and not kept in proper order, may be dealt with by the board and vested in a committee of the rated inhabitants, to be kept as a garden or ornamental ground. In the event of the inhabitants not accepting the charge the board is to place the garden under the vestry or district board.

The Leicester-square Act, 1874, 37 Vict. c. x., authorises the board to acquire

possession of the inclosure of Leicester-square, and to maintain it as a place of public recreation.

The Metropolitan Open Spaces Act, 1877, 40 & 41 Vict. c. 35, authorises the board to acquire and hold open spaces, such as gardens in squares, for the benefit of the public.

The Metropolitan Open Spaces Act, 1881, 44 & 45 Vict. c. 34, extends the operation of the last-mentioned Act, and includes disused burial grounds among the open spaces which may be transferred to the board, or to any vestry or district board, for the benefit of the public.

The Open Spaces Act, 1887, 50 & 51 Vict. c. 32, extends the provisions of the Metropolitan Open Spaces Act, 1881, to burial grounds vested in the board, and empowers the board to acquire land for public walks and pleasure grounds, and to contribute towards the cost of public walks and pleasure grounds provided by other persons.

COMMONS AND OPEN SPACES ACTS.

The Metropolitan Commons Act, 1866, 29 & 30 Vict. c. cxxii., has for its object the preservation of commons and open spaces in and near the metropolis. The board may present a memorial to the Inclosure Commissioners with respect to any common within the metropolitan area, and the Commissioners are thereupon to make inquiry and prepare a scheme for its management, which scheme is to be confirmed by Parliament.

The Metropolitan Commons Act, 1878, 41 & 42 Vict. c. 71, gives the board power to purchase and hold, with a view to prevent the extinction of the rights of common, any saleable rights in common, or any tenement of a commoner to which rights of common are annexed.

The Metropolitan Commons Supplemental Act, 1871, 34 & 35 Vict. c. lvii., confirms a scheme prepared by the Inclosure Commissioners, under the provisions of the Act of 1866, for the management of Blackheath. The heath is placed under the jurisdiction of the board.

The Metropolitan Commons Second Supplemental Act, 1871, 34 & 35 Vict. c. lxiii., confirms a scheme of the Inclosure Commissioners for the management by the board of Shepherd's Bush Common.

The Metropolitan Commons Supplemental Act, 1872, 35 & 36 Vict. c. xliii., confirms a scheme of the Inclosure Commissioners for the management by the Board of the various pieces of ground called the Hackney Commons.

The Metropolitan Commons Supplemental Act, 1873, 36 & 37 Vict. c. lxxxvi., confirms a scheme of the Inclosure Commissioners for the management of Tooting Beck Common, the manorial rights in which the board agreed to purchase for the sum of £10,200.

The Metropolitan Commons Supplemental Act, 1877, 40 & 41 Vict. c. cci., confirms a scheme of the Inclosure Commissioners for the management of Clapham Common, the manorial rights in which the board agreed to purchase for £18,000; and a scheme for Bostall Heath, the manorial rights in which the board agreed to purchase for £5,500.

The Metropolitan Commons Supplemental Act, 1881, 44 Vict. c. xviii., confirms a scheme of the Inclosure Commissioners for the management by the board of Brook Green, Eel Brook Common, and Parson's Green.

The Metropolitan Commons Supplemental Act, 1884, 47 Vict. c. ii., confirms a scheme of the Land Commissioners for the management by the board of Streatham Common.

The Hampstead Heath Act, 1871, 34 & 35 Vict. c. lxxvii., confirms an arrangement made by the board with the lord of the manor of Hampstead for the purchase, for the sum of £45,000, of his rights over Hampstead Heath, thus securing the ground for ever as a place of recreation for the public.

The Hampstead Heath Enlargement Act, 1886, 50 Vict. c. xli., makes it lawful for the board to acquire the land known as Parliament-hill, Parliament-fields, &c., near Hampstead Heath, for the purposes of public recreation, and provides that contributions towards the cost may be made by any vestry or district board and by the Charity Commissioners out of funds dealt with by the City Parochial Charities Act, 1883.

The Plumstead Common Act, 1878, 41 & 42 Vict. c. cxlv., empowers the board to purchase the estate and interest of Queen's College, Oxford, in Plumstead Common and Shoulder-of-Mutton Green. A portion of Plumstead Common is to be for ever kept open as an exercise ground for troops, and in respect thereof the War Department is to pay the Board 4000l. as purchase money.

The Wormwood Scrubs Act, 1879, 42 & 43 Vict. c. clx., vests in the board the

common known as Wormwood Scrubs and certain land adjoining, to be maintained as a place of public recreation, subject to the rights of user by the military forces. The Metropolitan Board of Works (Hackney Commons) Act, 1881, 44 & 45 Vict. c. cxlviii., confirins an agreement made by the Board with Mr. W. A. T. Amherst, for the purchase of his manorial rights over the Hackney Commons for the sum of 33,000l.

The Clissold Park (Stoke Newington) Act, 1887, 50 & 51 Vict. c. cxxxvii., empowers the Board and the Hackney District Board, or either of them, to purchase of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners the land known as Clissold Park. The Act provides that the land, if so acquired, shall be kept open, uninclosed and unbuilt on, except as regards a portion, not exceeding two acres, which the Stoke Newington Vestry is authorised to acquire for parochial purposes.

GAS ACTS.

The Sale of Gas Act, 1859, 22 & 23 Vict. c. 66, is an Act for regulating the measures used in the sale of gas. It fixes the standard of measurement, provides for the deposit of models of measures with the Comptroller General of the Exchequer, and for the appointment by the justices of inspectors to test meters.

The Sale of Gas Act, 1860, 23 & 24 Vict. c. 146, provides that where, in the lastmentioned Act, anything is required to be done within a specified time after the passing of the same, such time shall be calculated as if the 13th of October, 1860, had been the date of the passing of the Act.

The Metropolis Gas Act, 1860, 23 & 24 Vict. c. 125, is an Act for better regulating the supply of gas in the metropolis. It confirms the arrangements made by the metropolitan gas companies among themselves, under which a separate district was assigned to each, and contains provisions relative to the price, illuminating power, and purity of the gas to be supplied.

The Sale of Gas Amendment Act, 1861, 24 & 25 Vict. c. 79, amends the Acts of 1859 and 1860 relating to the measures used in the sale of gas, by transferring to the Board the power to appoint inspectors to test meters in the metropolis.

The Commercial Gas Act, 1875, 38 & 39 Vict. c. cc.; The Gas Light and Coke Company's Act, 1876, 39 & 40 Vict. c. ccxxv.; The South Metropolitan Gas Light and Coke Company's Act, 1876, 39 & 40 Vict. c. ccxxix-These Acts impose upon the Board the duty of testing the gas supplied by the several companies therein referred to (with the exception of that supplied in the city of London), in order to see that the conditions as to purity, illuminating power, and pressure are complied with. The board is required to appoint, and always keep appointed, gas examiners for this purpose.

The Gas Light and Coke and other Gas Companies' Acts Amendment Act, 1880, 43 & 44 Vict. c. clxxxi,, amends the provisions of the last-mentioned Acts with respect to the testing of gas and the recovery of forfeitures for defective gas.

WATER ACT.

The Metropolis Water Act, 1871, 34 & 35 Vict. c. 113, provides for a constant supply of water to the metropolis. The board is constituted the metropolitan authority, but the city of London is excluded from its jurisdiction. Any company may propose to give a constant supply, or the metropolitan authority may apply to a company for it, failing both of which, and under certain conditions, the Board of Trade inay require a constant supply to be provided. The companies are to make regulations, which are to be submitted to the Board of Trade for approval, the board having the right to be heard. No company can be required to give a constant supply if it can be shewn that more than one-fifth of the houses in the district are not provided with the prescribed fittings. The Act contains provisions with regard to quality of water, accounts, arbitration, penalties, and other miscellaneous matters.

NOTE. By the 35th section of The Public Health Act, 1872, 35 & 36 Vict c. 79, the powers and duties of the Board of Trade under the Metropolis Water Act are transferred to the Local Government Board.

TRAMWAY ACTS.

The Tramways Act, 1870, 33 & 31 Vict. c. 78, is an Act to facilitate the construc tion and regulate the working of tramways. The board is constituted the local authority for the metropolis. Any local authority, or other body, with its consent, may apply to the Board of Trade for a provisional order authorising the construction

of a tramway. The provisional order, if granted, is to be submitted to Parliament for confirmation.

The Tramways Order Confirmation Act, 1879, 42 & 43 Vict. c. cxciii., provides that the Board of Trade may license the use of steam or mechanical power on tramways, subject to the consent of the local and road authorities.

FIRE BRIGADE ACT.

The Metropolitan Fire Brigade Act, 1865, 28 & 29 Vict. c. 90, imposes on the board the duty of extinguishing fires and protecting life and property in case of fire in the metropolis. The plant and property of the fire-engine establishment of the insurance companies are transferred to the board. The expenses of carrying out the Act are to be met partly by contributious from the Government and the fire insurance companies, and partly by a rate of d. in the pound on the metropolis.

INFLAMMABLE AND EXPLOSIVE SUBSTANCES ACTS.

The Petroleum Act, 1871, 34 & 35 Vict. c. 105.-Under this Act petroleum and other similar oils which give off an inflammable vapour below a certain temperature are only to be kept or sold with a licence from the local authority. Regulations are made respecting the conveyance and storage of petroleum, and there are provisions for the testing of the oils and for penalties in case of contravention of the statute. The local authority for the metropolis (except the city of London) is the board.

The Petroleum Act, 1879, 42 & 43 Vict. c. 47, amends the provisions of the Act of 1871 as regards the temperature of the oils and the mode of testing them.

The Petroleum (Hawkers) Act, 1881, 44 & 45 Vict. c. 67, prescribes the conditions under which petroleum may be sold by hawkers in the streets.

The Explosives Act, 1875, 38 Vict. c. 17, empowers the board to grant licences for the storage of gunpowder in the metropolis, and also requires that persons applying to the Secretary of State for a licence to establish a new factory or magazine for gunpowder shall apply to the board for its consent thereto.

SANITARY ACTS.

The Infant Life Protection Act, 1872, 35 & 36 Vict. c. 38, imposes on the board the duty of keeping a register of all houses in the metropolis in which persons receive for hire or reward more than one child, or in the case of twins, more than two children, under the age of one year, for the purpose of nursing.

The Slaughter-houses, &c. (Metropolis) Act, 1874, 37 & 38 Vict. c. 67, authorises the board to make bye-laws for the regulation of certain businesses considered offensive, and prohibits the establishment anew of some of the more offensive kind.

The Contagious Diseases (Animals) Act, 1878, 41 & 42 Vict. c. 74, has for its object the prevention of the introduction or spread of contagious diseases among cattle or other animals in Great Britain. The local authorities are empowered to declare places infected, and are to appoint inspectors to visit places where disease exists, and to cause all animals affected with pleuro-pneumonia to be slaughtered, paying compensation to the owners. The good management of cowsheds, dairios, and milkshops is also provided for. The board is the local authority for the metropolis, and the city of London is required to pay its share of the board's expenses in carrying out the Act.

The Contagious Diseases (Animals) Act, 1886, 49 & 50 Vict. c. 32, amends in certain particular the last-mentioned Act. Among other things it transfers to the Local Government Board the powers vested by the Act of 1878 in the Privy Council with respect to cowsheds, dairies, and milkshops.

The Disused Burial Grounds Act, 1884, 47 & 48 Vict. c. 72, prohibits the erection of any buildings upon a disused burial ground, except for the purpose of enlarging a place of worship. The duty of enforcing the observance of this Act in the metropolis devolves upon the board, under sec. 56 of the Metropolitan Board of Works (Various Powers) Act, 1885.

OTHER GENERAL AND SPECIAL ACTS.

The Superannuations (Officers, Metropolitan Vestries and District Boards) Act, 1866, 29 Vict. c. 31.-This Act empowers the board to grant superannuation allowances to its officers.

The Metropolitan Subways Act, 1868, 31 & 32 Vict. c. lxxx., authorises the board to require gas and water companies to place their pipes in the subways made for that purpose.

The Lee Conservancy Act, 1868, 31 & 32 Vict. c. cliv., is for the purpose of making better provision for the preservation and improvement of the River Lee and its tributaries. It provides for the incorporation of a conservancy board of thirteen members, one of whom is to be appointed by the board.

The Monuments (Metropolis) Act, 1878, 41 & 42 Vict. c. 29, places the Egyptian Obelisk under the care of the board, and empowers the board to preserve that and other monuments on the Thames Embankments.

The Highways and Locomotives Amendment Act, 1878, 41 & 42 Vict. c. 77, empowers the board to make bye-laws to regulate the use of steam locomotives on the highways in the metropolis.

The Metropolitan Board of Works (District Railway Ventilators) Act, 1883, 46 & 47 Vict. c. cxci., requires the Metropolitan District Railway Company to close certain ventilating shafts made in the public thoroughfares under the powers of the company's Act of 1881, and provides that the board shall pay to the company the cost of making and closing such shafts.

The Metropolitan Board of Works (District Railway Ventilators) Act, 1884, 47 & 48 Vict. c. xcv., requires the railway company to close a ventilating shaft in the carriageway of the Victoria Embankment, and authorises the formation of a shaft in another situation adjacent in place thereof.

BOARD'S VARIOUS POWERS ACTS.

The Metropolitan Board of Works Act, 1874, 37 & 38 Vict. c. xcvii., empowers the Board to construct a new road near Finsbury Park; authorises the admission of the sewage of South Hornsey into the main drainage system; and authorises the board to pay certain expenses incurred on the occasion of the National Thanksgiving, 27th February, 1872.

The Metropolitan Board of Works (Various Powers) Act, 1875, 38 & 39 Vict. c. clxxix., sanctions an arrangement made with the Duchy of Lancaster for the formation of a new approach from the Strand to the Victoria Embankment through the Savoy also an arrangement with respect to certain roads to be made by the board at Finsbury Park. The Act also empowers the board to undertake the care and management of Tooting Graveney Common, and contains a few other miscellaneous provisions.

The Metropolitan Board of Works (Various Powers) Act, 1876, 39 & 40 Vict. c. lxxix., authorises the board to form a new street from Sun-street to Worship-street, at the joint expense of the board and the Vestry of Shoreditch, and also to undertake the maintenance and lighting of the wall of the Chelsea Embankment, the adjacent footway, and the ornamental grounds.

The Metropolitan Board of Works Act, 1877, 40 Vict. c. viii., authorises the board to consolidate the bye-laws made for the regulation of the various parks and open spaces under the board's control, and to contribute towards the cost of a recreation ground to be provided by the Lewisham District Board at Sydenham.

The Metropolitan Board of Works Indemnity Act, 1879, 42 & 43 Vict. c. 68, empowers the Board to pay the expenses incurred in promoting in the previous Session of Parliament two bills relating to the water supply of the metropolis.

The Metropolitan Board of Works (Various Powers) Act, 1882, 45 Vict. c. lvi., authorises the board to widen a further portion of Tooley-street; to take over from the Vestry of Camberwell the management of Peckham Rye, Goose Green, and Nunhead Green; to make an exchange of land for the improvement of Tooting Beck Common; to make bye-laws for regulating the traffic on the bridges and embankments; and to sanction temporary flood works. The Act also extends the time for the sale of the surplus lands in Northumberland Avenue.

The Metropolitan Board of Works (Various Powers) Act, 1884, 47 & 48 Vict. c. ccxxiii., empowers the board to make a new street in continuation of Clarence-road, Kentish Town, and a new street to connect Cotton-street and Preston's-road, Poplar. Half the cost of the last-mentioned street is to be borne by the Poplar District Board. The Act extends and amends in certain particulars the provisions of the Street Improvements Act of 1877, authorises the purchase of a small piece of land to be added to Plumstead Common, and provides for the acquisition by the board of all existing rights over any of the Hackney Commons.

The Metropolitan Board of Works (Various Powers) Act, 1885, 48 & 49 Vict. c. clxvii, empowers the board to make a new street from Gray's Inn-road to St. Johnstreet-road; to establish a free ferry across the Thames at Woolwich; to acquire by purchase certain land at Highbury, and, by gift from the Governors of Dulwich College, certain land at Dulwich for the purposes of public recreation; and to effect with the London School board a small exchange of land at Plumstead Common. The Act also imposes on the Board the duty of enforcing the observance of the Disused Burial-grounds Act, 1884.