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so unsatisfactory that the Vestry passed a resolution emphatically
recording its great surprise and disappointment at the decision to
proceed with the construction of a tunnel from Blackwall to
Greenwich, without first or simultaneously providing permanent
means of communication between the North and South sides of
the Thames, at or near Shadwell and Rotherhithe, in accordance
with the recommendation of the Committee of the House of
Commons, in 1884, and the repeated requests of the various local
authorities and inhabitants of Districts in the East of London.
Notwithstanding the objection of the Yestry, and many other
Yestries and District Boards, the Metropolitan Board of Works
brought into Parliament a Bill authorising the construction of the
tunnel from Blackwall to Greenwich. The Bill has been passed.
One suggestion made to justify delay in providing the much needed
communication between Shadwell and Eotherhithe is, that it is
desirable to wait to see the effect of the construction of the New
Tower Bridge.
FOURNIER'S CHARITY.
The long pending dispute as to the liability to Legacy Duty of
the Trust Fund representing the £4000 bequeathed for the benefit
of this Parish, by the will of Mr. Fournier, has been settled.
After acquiescing for a long series of years in the view that the
Fund was not liable to duty, except in the cases of recipients of
sums amounting to the minimum sum chargeable with Legacy
Duty, the Commissioners of Inland Revenue contended that
£400, the duty at 10 per cent. on the £4000, was payable at the
Testator's death, in 1845, and that the £400 carried interest at 4
per cent., from the death, but they offered to waive payment of
the interest if the £400 duty was paid. The Yestry ultimately
decided to resist the claim, but renewed the offer of £100 previously
made. The proceedings to try to enforce the claim would have
had to be, in form, against the representatives of Mr. Fournier, the
founder. After the lapse of a considerable time, the Solicitors of
B