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133
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 Sanitary 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 year are mentioned on page 167.
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 required by Parliament to provide
funds for—(a) Main Drainage; (b) Fire Brigade; (c)
Elementary Education; (d) Thames Bridges—purchase,
maintenance, and rebuilding; (e) Artizans' Dwellings, and
other purposes. A statement of moneys raised with the
parochial rates for Metropolitan purposes is given on
page 143.
STANDING ORDERS.
Operative Resolutions in the nature of Standing Orders
have been passed during the year as follows:—
4th April, 1884.—That it be an instruction to each of the Inspectors
of Nuisances to be in attendance at every meeting of the
Sanitary Committee, and report their proceedings since the
previous meeting (S. 2, p. 154).