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hole covers and reinstatement of roads, and that the Company paid
a rental of £500 per annum to the Vestry.
The Company agreed to the stipulations but declined to pay the
amount specified, and made an offer of 1/- per annum for the easements.
This offer the Vestry declined to accept, but the Committee agreed
to receive a deputation from the Company. After interviews between
representatives of the Company and the Committee and correspondence,
the Vestry on the 3rd November, 1896, passed a resolution
refusing to grant permission for the mains to be laid underground
throughout the Parish unless the Company were prepared to make a
substantial offer for the proposed wayleave. On a further application
being made by the Company in March, 1897, this resolution was
adhered to.
Drinking
Fountains.
An offer having been received from the Metropolitan
Drinking Fountains Association, to erect a granite drinking
trough in St. George's Circus, the Vestry agreed to the recommendation
of the Works Committee to accept the offer on condition that no
name of an advertising character be placed on the trough. A similar
offer was also received from the Association to fix a Drinking
Fountain and Cattle Trough at a point opposite the Deaf and Dumb
Asylum in the Old Kent Road, and this was also agreed to on
practically the same conditions.
The Vestry's thanks are due to the Association for so generously
providing for the wants of persons and of horses and cattle passing
through the Parish.
General Purposes Committee.
On the recommendation of this Committee the Vestry have dealt
with the following matters of Public Interest:—
1. The Relief of Local Taxation. The Vestry concurred with the
views of the Parishes of St. Margaret and St. John, Westminster,
and of a Deputation who waited on the Chancellor of
the Exchequer on this subject, that, having in view the heavy
charges which fell upon the Ratepayers of London, an increased
subvention should be granted by Parliament in relief of Local
Taxation, out of Local Taxation Fund.