The great drainage discussion, which has vexed London so long
to so little purpose, has at last been put in better train for practical handling. The Metropolitan Board of Works has de- finitively adopted. " the B* plan " of drainage, and has presented it to the Chief Commissioner in due form. This goes as far as the act compels the Board, or, we might say, permits it. The Chief Commissioner, however, keeps in view the larger proposal for extending the drainage works to the German Ocean. It forms a fair question, how far the intermediate counties, which would in some degree be benefited by relief from the pollution of the Thames, and by the manuring facilities of the grand duet, should not be made to contribute towards the ulterior expense. Sir Benjamin Hall, however, proposes that the whole subject, with all the plans submitted to him, whether by the Board of Works Or other persons, shall be referred to three engineers whom he will appoint for the purpose ; and then he will go to Parliament armed with the materials for inviting a Parliament- ary decision. This is a course dictated by such clear common sense, that we cannot help hoping for substantial success.
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