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"the business of the establishment and an extravagant outlay of public moneys, and
"necessitates a searching enquiry, not only into the management and expenditure of
"this Hospital, but also the other establishments of the Hoard, and the affairs of the
"Board generallv; and that it is expedient such enquiry should be conducted by a
"Parliamentary Committee or a Royal Commission.
The Vestrv resolved to support the said resolution of the delegates for an enquiry
into the matters referred to therein.
The Report of the Special Committee of the City of London proposing the division
of the Metropolis into Ten Municipalities, of which the City of London would form
one for the Local Government thereof, having been fully considered by the Vestry at a
Special Meeting held on the 8th December, 1885, a resolution was passed as follows,
viz.:—
"Resolved, that this Vestry approve of the general principle of the scheme
"promoted by the Corporation of the City of London, for the Local Government of
"the Metropolis, but are of opinion that the areas of the proposed Municipalities
"should be extended, so as to diminish the number as far as possible."
A copy of the resolution was forwarded to the Corporation of the City of London.
In January, 1886, the Vestry having had under consideration a communication
received from the Metropolitan Board of Works, to the effect, that the Board
proposed to introduce into Parliament a Bill to Regulate the Stacking of Firewood in
the Metropolis, and in connection therewith were desirous of obtaining information with
regard to the places at which firewood is stacked in different parts of London, and
asking the Vestry to instruct their Surveyor to furnish the Board with information as
to the dimensions of the larger stacks of firewood in their district, and the nearness of
any such stacks to adjacent dwelling houses or other buildings, a resolution was passed
as follows, viz.:—
"Resolved that this Vestrv do not approve of the Bill brought in by the Metro"politan
Board of Works for the safe keeping of firewood within the limits of the
"Metropolis, believing that it will have the effect of curtailing the business of firewood
"merchants, and of driving the store yards out of the Metropolis, thus depriving an
"exceedingly numerous, and very poor and deserving class of people of their only
"means ol livelihood, and causing them to become chargeable to the parish, and that
"the Vestry do petition the House of Commons against the said Bill."
A copv of the resolution was sent to the Metropolitan Board of Works; copies of
the resolution were also sent to the several Vestries and District Boards in the
Metropolis with a request that they would co-operate with the Vestrv in opposing
the Bill.
The Metropolitan Board of Works ultimately withdrew the said Bill from
Parliament.