The first meeting of the London County Council since the
recess was held on Tuesday, Sir John Lubbock presiding, and Sir Thomas Farrer acting as Vice-Chairman. The principal business discussed was the London water-supply, with the result that by 58 votes to 27 it was resolved to enter into tentative negotiations with the Water Companies for the purpose of ascertaining upon what terms they would be prepared to dispose of their undertakings to the Council, in the event of the necessary Parliamentary powers being granted. Sir Thomas Farrer and Sir John Lubbock were both very much averse to any immediate action being taken in the matter, fearing that the Company's experts would get the better of the Council in bargaining unless the question were first carefully studied. In many respects their arguments were no doubt sound ; but we cannot help thinking that the Chairman and Vice-Chairman did not lay stress enough upon the importance of not putting the question off again. It seems certain that the river should be gradually abandoned as a source of supply, and really pure water obtained elsewhere ; but as this would take time, there should be no delay over the preliminaries. Of course the Water Companies must have full compensation ; but it must not be forgotten that they possess no exclusive right to supply London, and that they benefit most unfairly by every rise, however arbitrary, in the assessed value of houses.
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