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43
Immediately the London Government Bill had passed into law,
the question of the alteration of the boundaries of the various parishes
forming the new Borough arose on a communication from Lambeth
suggesting that the boundary line should pass along the centre of King
Edward Street, Tower Street, Gray Street, and Marlborough Street,
instead of along the backs of the houses. As the Vestry were of
opinion that the centres of roads were very undesirable as boundaries,
in consequence of the difficulties likely to arise from two authorities
having control of different parts of the same street or road, they
objected to this proposal.
Various other alterations having been suggested as to the
boundaries of the new Borough, a Conference was convened by the
Vestry of St. Mary, Newington, and held at the Vestry Hall, Walworth
road, on Thursday, the 19th October, 1899.
After consideration of various suggestions, a Committee was appointed
to prepare and bring before a future meeting of the Conference
a scheme of alterations of boundaries.
Negociations accordingly took place between the Committee and
the various Authorities of Lambeth, Camber well, and Bermondsey,
with the result that several extensive Schemes involving the transference
of considerable areas from one borough to another were
proposed. On these Schemes coming before the Conference, a great
divergence of opinion was expressed, and it was found impossible to
secure unanimity amongst the various parishes.
boundary between st. geoRge's paRish and bermondsey.
The London Government Act Commissioner held an Inquiry at
the Bermondsey Town Hall on the 22nd, 23rd and 24th November,
1899, with regard to the boundaries of the Borough of which
Bermondsey forms part. Counsel appeared on behalf of the Vestries of
St. George and Bermondsey, and of several other authorities. Various
schemes were laid before the Assistant Commissioner by each parish,
the principal object of Bermondsey being to take in a portion of the
Old Kent Road which the St. George's Vestry resisted most strenuously.
The Commissioner, however, intimated that he thought some
portion of the property in Old Kent Road ought to be transferred
to Bermondsey, and in the end the Order made by the Commissioners
constituting the Borough of Bermondsey includes in that borough the