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Crystal Palace.
On 15th March, 1897, the Vestry had before them a letter from the Vestry Clerk of
Camber well, forwarding copy resolution passed by that Vestry, expressing the opinion that
the present is an opportune time for securing as a permanent place of recreation for the
people of London of the Crystal Palace and Grounds, and directing that a petition to Parliament
be prepared, praying the Government to acquire and maintain the same, and asking this
Vestry to take similar action.
Resolved (Mr. Mortimer: Mr. Stuart)— That this Vestry concurs in the opinion
expressed by the Vestry of Camberwell, as to the desirability of securing the Crystal Palace
and Grounds for the public recreation and benefit, and that the Clerk be instructed to
prepare a petition for presentation to Parliament in support of that object, and that the
Common Seal of the Vestry be affixed to such petition.
On 19th October, 1897, Messrs. Mortimer, Vezey and Beasley were appointed Delegates
from this Vestry to attend a Conference of London Vestries and District Boards, convened
by the Vestry of Camberwell for the purpose of considering the proposal to acquire the
Crystal Palace as a National Memorial in celebration of Her Most Gracious Majesty's
Jubilee reign.
On 2nd November, 1897, Mr. Beasley reported that on Monday, the 1st of November, in
company with Messrs. Mortimer and Vezey, he attended the first meeting of the Conference
convened by the Camberwell Vestry, that ten of the Metropolitan Local Authorities were
represented, and that the following resolutions were unanimously passed:—
I. That in the opinion of this Conference the present is an opportune time for the
Government to secure as a permanent place of instruction and recreation, the Crystal Palace and
its grounds as a national memorial of Her Majesty's Diamond Jubilee, the building being the
one used for the International Exhibition, 1851, and under Royal Patronage, opened to the public
in 1854; and further that this Conference is of opinion that every means should be taken to
prevail upon the Government to acquire and maintain the same for the enjoyment of the people
for ever.