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22. That your Petitioners also have reason to believe that the provisions
of the Burial, Free Libraries and Baths and Washhouses Acts
could be more efficiently and economically managed by Committees
appointed by them than as at present by separate Corporate bodies
each with a separate sta ff of officers, and that the parishioners would
benefit, in other respects than that of economy of management, by
the functions of the Burial Board and the Institutions provided,
or in the course of erection, by the Commissioners being transferred
to your Petitioners as the directly-elected and responsible representatives
of the parish.
23. That although it is understood that your Honourable Board have
power under the provisions of the Local Government Act of 1894
to transfer the power of appointment of Overseers from the Justices
to your Petitioners, likewise the duties of the Burial Board, the
Commissioners for Public Free Libraries and Museums and the
Commissioners for Baths and Washhouses, they are advised that
the duties of the Governors and Guardians can only be transferred
with the sanction of Parliament.
Your Petitioners therefore humbly pray : —
1. That your Honourable Board will, during the next
ensuing Session of Parliament, promote a Provisional Order
for transferring to the elected Vestry as the Local Authority
and District Council of the Parish, all the powers and duties
of the Governors and Guardians under the hereinbefore recited
Local Acts, including the vesting in your Petitioners of the
Walworth Common Estate.
2. That your Honourable Board will issue an Order under
sec. 33 of the Local Government Act, 1894, for transferring to
your Petitioners all the powers and duties of the Burial Board;
the Commissioners for Public Free Libraries and Museums ;
the Commissioners for Public Baths and Washhouses; and the
appointment of Overseers.
3. And your Petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray.
The chairmen of the Vestry and of the four Standing Committees
were appointed as a deputation to present the petition; but the
Local Government Board in acknowledging the petition stated that
it would not be necessary to trouble a deputation at present, as an
inquiry would have to be held in the parish. The Board also
required confirmation of the application for a provisional order by
the vote of a majority at two successive meetings of the Vestry, and
this requirement was complied with unanimously on tho 12th and
26th June.
The Rev. J. W. Horsley and Mr. J. A. Dawes, with the Vestry