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any bodies were buried precluded any danger to public health existing
or likely to exist, and suggesting that the difficulty might be overcome
by the whole surface of the Crypt being sealed with a layer of concrete
; also pointing out that as a large number of bodies are interred
beneath the floor of the Crypt, and cracks have appeared in the walls
of the Church, there was grave reason to fear that any excavation
might tend to weaken the foundation of the building and threaten the
stability of the superstructure, but that a layer of concrete would
probably bind the structure together. The Home Secretary replied
that after considering the representations contained in the letter, he
did not find any sufficient grounds to alter his decision and did not
think that any advantage would result from a Deputation.
The Vestry replied to the communication, regretting the Home
Secretary's action, and not only as a Sanitary Authority, but in their
capacity as representatives of the ratepayers, again urged upon him
the desirability of permitting them to place their arguments before
him by deputation. On the 20th September the Home Secretary
replied that he saw no reason to vary his decision.
On the 25th January, 1899, the Churchwardens discovered a
letter in one of the lower rooms of the New Alley premises, adjoining
the Churchyard, addressed to them, and containing an Order in
Council, made on the 9th August, 1898, directing the whole of the
human remains lying in the Crypt to be removed and forthwith
interred in some consecrated burial ground in which burials could be
legally made—the work of removal to be carried out under the supervision
of the Medical Officer of Health of the district.
The Under Secretary of State subsequently appointed the 24th
February to receive a deputation from the Vestry to discuss the
question. The deputation urged upon him the desirability of delaying
the removal of the bodies till the proposed Long Lane Improvement
is carried out, when other bodies buried in the Churchyard will
have to be removed by the London County Council. The Yestry
are now awaiting a communication on the matter.
TELEPHONES.
On the 24th May, 1898, a communication was received from the
Clerk to the London County Council, stating that as the question of