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A further allegation in our petition is that the correspondence from the
Assessment Committee to the Overseers respecting the delay which occurred
last year, was withheld from the Overseers by the Vestry Clerk It will be
noticed that even now he has offered no explanation to your Honourable
Board as to that neglect of duty; but in the face of these charges, he has
again withheld from the Overseers the correspondence relative to this
year's delay. We would point out to your Honourable Board the serious
nature of this matter, and we append herewith, marked C, copy of
correspondence and resolutions of Overseers and Guardians concerning the
preparation of the Provisional and Supplemental Lists for 1889.
With regard to his observation No. 4, we would point out to your
Honourable Board that it is simply a confession of the truth of the charge
made by us of a breach of the Valuation (Metropolis) Act in order to qualify
a certain Ratepayer to stand as a candidate for the Vestry, and we submit
that it was a colourable transaction deserving the penal exercise of your
powers.
In regard to observation No. 5, we submit that considering the terms of his
appointment, he has given no satisfactory explanation why he accepted
duties not attached to his official position, or why he should have informed
the Vestry that he was not absent from his duties on those occasions.
In reply to observation No. 6, we state that he has accepted other duties
beyond those defined in his appointment as Assistant Overseer and Vestry
Clerk, without the sanction of the Vestry. Your petitioners again humbly
pray that your Honourable Board will institute an inquiry into these
alleged irregularities in the Rates Department of this Vestry, and the
neglect of duties of the Vestry Clerk and Assistant Overseer.
APPENDED DOCUMENTS MARKED C.
Copy of correspondence and resolutions of Overseers and Guardians concerning
the preparation of Provisional and Supplemental Lists, 1889.
Fulham Union; Offices, Fulham Palace Road.
Dear Sir, 20th July, 1889.
Re Provisional Lists.
The last Provisional List for your parish was received on the 4th May,
1889 (nearly three months ago), and, since that time 74 requisitions for revaluation
have been sent in to the Assessment Committee. Will you kindly
let me know, for the information of the Committee, who meet early next
week, what is being done in the way of preparing a new List, and when it
is likely to be forwarded.
I am much obliged for your letter respecting the Supplemental List,
which shall be laid before the Committee.
Yours truly,
(Signed) T. A. MARSH,
C. J. Foakes, Esq., Clerk to the Assessment Committee.
Vestry Hall, Walham Green.