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result, and to the increased burden of rates, he is obliged to proceed
cautiously and slowly, until some effective steps are taken to build
over the cleared areas and to rebuild closed houses. Indeed, there is
no doubt, that this is the most serious question which confronts the
Vestry at the present time; for their most important work is their
sanitary work.
In these circumstances it is satisfactory to know that the
London County Council are considering the desirability of erecting
dwellings for the working classes on these vacant sites. There is, we
believe, no district in London where improved dwellings are more
urgently required.* The Vestry approached the Bridge House
Commissioners, both by letter and deputation, with the request that,
inasmuch as they were the chief ground landlords of the Parish, they
would erect dwellings similar to those erected by the Commissioners
of Sewers in Petticoat Square. The Vestry, however, were informed
that the Commissioners were unable to entertain the suggestion.
On the whole, the work of the Sanitary Department may be
regarded as satisfactory; that some results are achieved is shown by
the diminished death rate.
GENERAL PURPOSES, TREES AND OPEN SPACES
COMMITTEE.
The sphere of work covered by the General Purposes Committee
is, to a certain extent, connoted by its title, but in addition it
is intended to act as a Cabinet of the Vestry. For this reason a
large number of important subjects have passed through its hands.
Early in the year the Vestry applied to the Local Government
Board, asking that the appointment of Overseers might be transferred
to the Vestry. Under the present system the Vestry submit
names, and the magistrates select those who, in their opinion, are the
best qualified for the office. As a matter of fact, the first names
are usually chosen. The Vestry, however, have long been anxious
that the work of the Overseers should, to some extent, be
brought under the Vestry, in so far as existing statutory powers
permit ; and, although the Vestry has no desire to review the work
* Since the date of this Report, the Vestry are happy to report that the L.C.C. have begun to build on
the Gun Street and Green Street areas. Other sites are still before them.