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170
ordering him, however, to pay the cost of the second analysis
which had been paid at his request.
DISORDERLY HOUSES.
Several complaints were received of houses alleged to be
used for immoral purposes, and inquiries were instituted
with a view to proceedings in all cases where the complaint was
substantiated by two householders. In most cases a notice
by the Vestry of their intention to prosecute rendered further
proceedings unnecessary.
A Bill passed the House of Lords last session facilitating
the suppression of disorderly houses, but unfortunately it
failed to pass beyond the preliminary stage in the House of
Commons.
PREACHER ASSISTANT.
Some question having been raised as to the continued
liability of the Parish to pay from the Poor Rate the stipend
of the Preacher Assistant (see page 81), having regard to
the abolition by law of compulsory Church Rates, a Committee
was appointed to consider the subject, and as the
question may prove of more than passing interest, the following
extract from their report is given :—
The office of " Treacher and Assistant to the Rector" was created on the
erection of the Parish in the year 1685, by the Act 1 Jac. II. cap. 22. The
intention was manifestly to secure to the Parish the ministration of a
resident clergyman, for the first Hector was Dr. Tenison, the then Vicar of
St. Martin s, and in those days, and for very many years subsequently, it
was a common practice for clergymen to hold several livings at the same
time.
The section of the Act (13) relating to the Preacher, provides that the
Hector for the time being shall and may by and with the consent of the
Vetrymen and Churchwardens, or any six or more of them, whereof one of