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18
metropolitan police.
Notwithstanding the representations made in 1897 to the Home
Office with regard to the inadequacy of the Police Force to deal with
the serious crimes committed from time to time in this district, it
was found that rowdyism still continued to prevail in South London.
The Yestry, on the 26th July, 1898, accordingly passed the following
resolutions
"That application be made to Parliament to sanction an increased grant to
the Police Force, so that adequate Police protection can be secured to
persons and property in South London, which at present does not obtain."
That this Authority is of opinion that this district is insufficiently provided
with police protection and that the prevailing and increased rowdyism,
ruffianism, intimidation and number of assaults call for immediate attention
and suppression."
The resolutions were forwarded to the Home Secretary and the
Chief Commissioner of Police.
While on the subject of the Police, it may be well to mention
that in September, 1898, the Yestry received a communication from
the Chief Commissioner, inviting the co-operation of Local Authorities
in assisting the Police to devise means for lessening the traffic in
busy thoroughfares, and suggesting that main thoroughfares should
be watered during the night and the gutters during the day time so
as to obviate the slipping of horses. To this communication the
Yestry directed a reply to be sent to the effect that:—
"(a) That the question of scavenging at night time is now receiving the
attention of the Vestry; (b) That watering the streets during the night
only is impracticable; (c) That so soon as the improvements at the
Elephant and Castle and Long Lane are completed the traffic would be
materially lessened at. these points; (d) That more Police are necessary
to efficiently regulate the traffic at the Elephant and Castle; (e) That the
Commissioner be recommended to approach the London County Council
with a view of diverting some of the tramway traffic from London Eoad,
down St. George's Ptoad and Lancaster Street; (f) That, in the opinion
of the Vestry, the By-laws should be enforced respecting the distance to
be maintained between each tramcar.
rating of ground values.
On the -29th November, 1898, the Vestry considered a letter
from the Land Law Reform Association, inviting the Authority to