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94
annoyance to the surrounding neighbourhood, by the
following resolution, which was passed by the Vestry of
St. Anne, Westminster:—
That this Vestry do petition Her Majesty's Secretary of State
for the Home Department to bring in a Bill to compel the
registration of all Clubs, and to make it impossible for any
private individual to open premises for the sale of excisable
articles for his own profit without any real restriction as to
condition of membership—(1) to the great annoyance of the
respectable residents in the neighbourhood, owing to the late
hours kept, and the frequent disturbances arising from the
conduct of persons frequenting the same; (2) to the great
cost to the ratepayers of the frequent prosecutions which
become necessary in the interests of public order; and (3)
to the injury of licensed persons who pay heavy license
duties for the sale of such articles, and under statutory provisions
and the supervision of the Police.
A very large number of clubs, many of which are of a
questionable character, abound in the neighbourhood of St.
James's and St. Anne's, and the Vestry unhesitatingly concurred
in the views expressed by the Vestry of St. Anne,
Westminster, and addressed a communication to the Home
Secretary in support thereof. There does not appear to be
much chance of any action being taken by the Government
with regard to these places unless public opinion expresses
itself more forcibly in the matter.
DRINKING FOUNTAINS.
There were at Lady-day three Drinking Fountains in
this Parish, one of which is the Shaftesbury Memorial
Fountain at Piccadilly Circus, and the other two are situate
in the Churchyard wall in Piccadilly. These Fountains
were erected and are maintained without cost to the Vestry.