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13
During the sitting of one of the Committees, a serious explosion
of gas occurred in the neighbouring room from some
unexplained cause. Happily no one sustained any injury, but
if the escape had gone on but a very short time longer, no doubt
a much more disastrous result would have taken place.
The Vestry Hall and furniture, &c., being insured, the
Insurance Company at once admitted the claim, and the places
damaged were restored without cost to the Vestry.
The subject of the Government of London was again mentioned
in Her Majesty's Speech from the Throne on the opening
of Parliament. It was felt that the matter would in all probability
be brought forward during the session, and therefore in
that the subject should receive due consideration—the Vestry
resolved itself into a committee of the whole Board to be called
together by the clerk whenever the Bill was introduced. This
has not been done up to the present time.
In order also that every opportunity might be afforded to all
classes to express their opinions on the measure, the use of the
Vestry Hall has been granted to the Churchwardens to hold a
public meeting on the Bill, if, and when introduced.
The Vestry will give the matter an impartial consideration.
The work of completing a history of the works accomplished
by the Vestry since 1855 has been completed, and the Vestry
are clearly of opinion that a careful perusal of it will satisfy
every reasonable mind that the prognostication of the results
which would be shown by it which appeared in the Vestry's
last report have been fully born out. The statement prepared
by the Vestry's officers, are clear unvarnished statements of
facts which can be tested if need be, and the Vestry are proud
of what is set forth.
The Vestry can only hope that if in the future, some other body
supersedes them, that the new body will, after 25 years' service,
be enabled to show as good a result. The Vestry felt that the
work was worthy to be printed, and invited tenders for doing so,
and Messrs. Penny & Hull's tender for £50 was accepted.
As the printing and stationery contracts would expire at
Lady Day, the Finance Committee considered the question,
and recommended that the existing contracts should be extended
for 12 months' if the contractors were willing. The Vestry
adopted the recommendation of the Committee, and the contractors
having been consulted, they determined to continue
them.
FINANCIAL.
THE FINANCIAL QUESTIONS ARE NOW THE ONLY ONES REMAINING TO
BE DEALT WITH.
The expenses of the annual election of Vestrymen and
Auditors in May 1882, was 5s. 6d,
Gas Explosion.
Municipality
of
London
Bill.
History of
works accomplish
ed by the
Yestry.
Printing
and Stationery
C ontracts
Expenses
of Annual
Election
of Vestrymen
and
Auditors.