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that amount, the public opinion was very strongly opposed to it, and
the Bill, owing to the dissolution of Parliament, could not be proceeded
with.
Under the new Ministry a Select Committee of the House of
Commons has been appointed to consider the whole subject, and the
Committee is now sitting.
Wood Paving.
The carriage-way of Great Queen Street from Drury Lane to Little
Queen Street has during the present season been laid with wood, at
a cost of £1,824 19s. 6d.
Several applications to lay down wood paving in other streets in the
District are before the Board for consideration, but owing to its large
cost and short duration, they have been compelled to defer the same.
The Decease and Retirement of Members.
The announcement of the death of Rear-Admiral Edward Barnett,
of Woburn Square, in the month of August last, was received by the
Board with much regret. The deceased gentleman was, until that
event, its oldest living Member, having been among the first elected
on its incorporation in the year 1856, and its first representative at
the Metropolitan Board of Works. He courteously and ably presided
over the Meetings of this Board at intervals during the long period of
20 years.
The Board regret to state the retirement of John Hodge, Esq., of
Bussell Square, on his ceasing to reside in London; that gentleman
was a Member of the Board for 11 years, and during that period was
active and attentive to the duties of the same.
Sale of Food and Drugs Act, 1875.
Since the last Annual Report of this Board the above Act has been
amended in many particulars, by enacting that in the sale of adulterated
articles it should be no defence to allege a purchase for
analysis (adopting the decision of the Queen's Bench Division, in the
appeal case instituted by this Board, referred to in last Year's Report);
increasing facilities for the purchase of milk at the place of delivery
to any purchaser; imposing a penalty on refusal to sell milk for
analysis; extending the Act to a sale of milk in the streets ; creating a
standard for spirits; and limiting the time within which proceedings
for offences should be had.
The number of articles analysed during the year was 272. Proceedings
were instituted in 32 cases, and convictions obtained in each
case. The fines and costs imposed in such cases amounted to
£56 18s. 6d.