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31
The sum of £5000, £2 15s. per cent. Consolidated Stock, has
been transferred at the Bank of England to an account of the
Vestry and the London and Midland Bank, and a deed executed
making the sum of stock a security to the Vestry for moneys held
by the bank.
The prosecution of Mr. William Isaac Shenton, late Rate
Collector of the West Division of the East Ward, directed by the
Vestry in February, 1892, was proceeded with. After many
remands ho was committed for trial. lie was convicted at the
Central Criminal Court, after a hearing occupying nearly two
days. Before the trial the whole of the defalcations had been
made good. What the guarantee policy of £1000 was insufficient
to cover had been paid (it is understood through the efforts of
friends of Mr. Shenton) to the credit of the Vestry account. The
verdict of the jury was accompanied by a recommendation to
mercy, which, with the evidence as to previous character, and the
punishment entailed by the loss of his situation, weighed with the
Court, and the prisoner was bound over to come up for judgment
if and when called on.
An application by the three junior Rate Collectors for an
increase of salary was referred to the Finance Committee, who
recommended that the salaries of these Collectors be raised as from
Christmas then next to £180, and be raised by annual increments of
£5 to a maximum salary of £200. The Report was considered in
October, and the matter adjourned for six months.
COLUMBIA ROAD IMPROVEMENT.
The London County Council acceded to the application of the
Vestry to contribute to the cost of the widening, and agreed to pay
one-half of the net cost of the ground to be bought, not exceeding
£215. When the Vestry were ready to take possession and
complete the purchase, it appeared that part of the ground agreed