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13
the transfer of their administration to the Commissioners of Sewers.
The subject was brought to the notice of the Vestry on the 17th
November, 1896 (the Bill not having been printed), when a Special
Committee was appointed to report on the proposal. It was soon found
that other Authorities were desirous of joining in the work of obtain"
ing information with reference to the measure, and a suggestion was
received from the St. Saviour's Union that a Special Committee
appointed by the Board of Guardians should co-operate with the
Vestry's Committee for that purpose. The Special Committee of
the Vestry having agreed to this suggestion, deemed it advisable to
invite the St. Olave's Board of Guardians and the Vestries of
Newington, Berinondsey and Kotherhithe, to appoint representatives
to confer with the Joint Committee on the subject. A
Conference was held on the 14th December, 1896, of representatives
of four of the Authorities above named, when it was
determined that the representatives of each Authority should seek
power from their respective Boards to. expend not more than £50 in
obtaining information in reference to questions involved in the Bill.
It was found that the provisions of the Bill were of such an
extensive character as to necessitate the employment of an expert to
report upon the measure, and the Conference determined to retain
Mr. John Kemp, Barrister-at-law, for this purpose. The Boards of
Guardians of St. Saviour's and St. Olave's Unions, and the Vestries
of St. Mary, Newington, and St. George the Martyr, agreed to
contribute toward the cost of obtaining information. Mr. Kemp
subsequently submitted to the Conference a memorandum upon the
historical aspect of the proposal, and at a later meeting a supplementary
report on its financial effect. The Vestry in the meantime
received a report from the Vestry Clerk on the general bearing
of the proposal upon this Parish, and determined to present a
petition against the Bill. Several other Authorities also petitioned
against the measure, including the London County Council, whose
Statistical Officer prepared a most exhaustive report upon the general
and financial aspects of the Bill, as they affected the Council and the
various Parishes and Local Authorities.
One of the proposals of the Promoters was to the effect that
the Union of St. Saviour's should be divided, and the rich Parishes of