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534
chair throughout our sittings, which has contributed in the
highest degree to the effective and speedy discharge of our
duties.
We have held seven meetings, and now submit our
first report.
The Vestry Clerk.—We think it desirable that the
opportunity of the present vacancy should be taken to lay
down more definitely than has been done in the past, the
position and duties of this Office. The Vestry Clerk should
be the Chief Executive Officer of the Vestry, and should have
supervision and control over the whole of the Vestry Staff.
As the multiplication of separate offices should be avoided as
far as possible, the new Vestry Clerk who has under statute
to act as Clerk to the Assessment Committee and Trustees
of the Charity Estates, should also be the Clerk to the Burial
Board, Commissioners of Public Baths and Washhouses, and
Commissioners of Public Libraries. The whole of his time
should be devoted to the duties of his office, and he should
be paid an inclusive salary for the whole of the duties to be
performed by him. The salary should commence at £400
per annum, and be increased by six annual increments of
£25 to a maximum of £550.
We cannot lose sight of the fact that Mr. C. W. Tagg
has for many years been the Chief Clerk in the Vestry
Clerk's Department, and has carried out his duties with
great ability and zeal. We think he is in every way qualified
to occupy the position of Vestry Clerk, and we therefore
recommend that he be appointed thereto.
The Solicitor.—It will be necessary, under these circumstances,
to appoint a Solicitor to advise the Vestry upon
legal matters, and we think the best arrangement would be