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71
DISORDERLY HOUSES AND ASSEMBLAGES.
Several complaints have teen received of premises being conducted
in a disorderly manner, but owing to the difficulty of
obtaining evidence, and the reluctance of householders to allow their
names to appear in the proceedings, no prosecution has been
instituted. Two cases, which were pending on the 25th March,
1882, have been decided, fines amounting to £85 being inflicted in
one case, and the defendants in the other case, who pleaded guilty,
being merely ordered to enter into recognizances for their good
behaviour, although counsel for the Parish pressed for the infliction
of fines.
The cost of proceedings against persons keeping disorderly
houses, as passed by the Vestry, amounts to £82 11s. 9d. for the
twelve months, and the sum of £128 1s. 6d. has been recovered in
respect of fines inflicted upon persons convicted of the offence.
In the month of June complaint was made of the increasing
annoyance caused by the assemblage of disorderly persons by night
in Regent Street, and the attention of the police was directed to
the matter, which was followed by some slight temporary abatement
of the nuisance.
Upon the requisition of many of the leading parishioners at the
west end of London, a meeting was held at St. Martin's Vestry
Hall, on the 2nd of November, to consider the increase of depravity
as displayed even in the daytime at the West End. Resolutions
were passed expressing a desire of the meeting for further legislation
to deal more effectually with houses of ill repute, street-walkers,
and the display and sale of immoral or indecent photographs, and
requesting the Home Secretary to receive a deputation to urge the
Government to take up the matter. These resolutions were communicated
to the Vestry, and Mr. Winnett was requested to
represent them upon the proposed deputation, in the event of the
Home Secretary consenting to an interview.
The Vestry have also requested two of their members to join
another deputation to the Home Secretary with a view to the
prevention of solicitation by persons of ill repute in the public
streets.