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of the former Vestry and of the Paving Commissioners acting
under the Local Acts referred to on page 20, as well as some of
the functions of the Commissioners of Sewers (see page 15), were
transferred to the newly-appointed body.
An Act was passed in the year 1858 relative to the main
drainage of the Metropolis, by which the Vestry, as the rating
authority of the Parish, were required to meet precepts of the
Metropolitan Board of Works for a Main Drainage Rate not to
exceed 3d. in the pound per annum.
In 1862, the powers of the Vestry were enlarged by the
Metropolis Local Management Amendment Act, and in the
following year turnpike roads in the Metropolis were transferred
from Commissioners, who had power to take tolls from vehicles, to
the Local Authorities, whose expenses are defrayed from rates.
The Metropolitan Board of Works (Loans) Act, 1869, and
Money Acts of the Board, subsequently passed, besides making
some alterations in the mode of assessing the expenses of the
Board, have afforded increased facilities for the raising of money by
Vestries and District Boards, of which, however, the Vestry of
St. James have not had occasion to avail themselves.
The Vestry have also various powers under the Metropolitan
Paving Act, 57 Geo. III., cap. 29, commonly known as Michael
Angelo Taylor's Act, the Nuisances Removal Acts, the Metropolitan
Building Acts, the Metropolis Gas Act, the Sanitai-y Act, 1866,
the Artizans and Labourers' Dwellings Act, 1868, better known as
Torrens' Act, and other statutes.
By the Sale of Food and Drugs Acts of 1875 and 1879, the
Vestry are empowered to purchase samples of food and drugs for
analysis, to appoint a Public Analyst, and to prosecute vendors of
adulterated articles. Proceedings under these Acts during the
past yoar are mentioned on page 69.
There has been a growing tendency for some years to include in
the local rates various sums for Metropolitan purposes over the
expenditure of which local authorities do not possess the slightest
control. Thus, since the establishment of the Metropolitan Board
of Works in 1855, the Vestry have at different times been