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Copies of this Address were also sent to all the London
Vestries and District Boards, asking for the same to be brought
before their respective Boards. Replies were received from 39, of
whom 19 agreed with Camberwell, 5 with the resolutions of the
Paddington Vestry also in favor of a Royal Commission being
appointed, 5 acknowledged the receipt, 8 who differed but recommended
no action, and 2 have the matter still under consideration-
On the 9th September, 1887, a letter was received from
Godfrey Lushington, Esq., stating "that he had been directed by
the Secretary of State to acquaint me, for the information of the
Vestry, that he had laid before the Queen the Petition to Her
Majesty forwarded in my letter of the 31st ult., praying Her
Majesty to issue a Royal Commission of enquiry into certain
matters connected with the administration of the Metropolitan
Board of Works."
On the 11th February, 1888, a letter was received from the
Paddington Vestry, stating that that Vestry had unanimously resolved
that the Right Honorable Lord Randolph Churchill, M.P., and
Mr. John Aird, M.P. be requested to introduce a Bill into Parliament
for the appointment of a Royal Commission. An Act of
Parliament was moved for and obtained for the appointment of a
Royal Commission by Lord Randolph Churchill, and the Commissioners
appointed were Lord Herschell (Chairman) Mr. F. A.
Bosanquet, Q.C., and Mr. H. C. Grenfell. The Commissioners
have power to compel the attendance of witnesses, and any
witness who refuses to answer any question put to him by the
Court, would be liable to imprisonment. Witnesses who answer
and make full disclosures will be entitled to a Certificate, which
will relieve them from all actions at law or criminal proceedings;
any witness not making a full disclosure will be liable to be proceeded
against civilly or criminally, as such evidence may render
him liable. The Commission held its first sitting on May 5th.