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14
THE PARISH.
Extent.— The Parish occupies an area of 164 acres. It has
about 12miles of streets, of which 3½ miles are paved
with wood, 1½ with asphalte, 4½ with pitching, 2½ with
macadam, and 1½ mile of courts, yards, and passages.
Population.— At the last census, which was taken in
April, 1881, the resident population was ascertained to be
29,865 persons, and the number of occupied houses 3,018.
In this enumeration, however, no account is taken of the
large number of persons who are engaged in the Parish
during the day, and reside away from their places of business.
Local Government.—The Parish has a separate jurisdiction
under the Metropolis Local Management Act, and particulars
of the powers of the Vestry elected pursuant to that
Act are given on page 24. For Poor Law purposes the Parish
is joined to the Parish of St. Anne, under the name of the
Westminster Union; it is also a constituent part of the ,
Central London Sick Asylum District.
For Ecclesiastical Purposes the Parish has been subdivided
into five districts, the mother church being St. James's
Piccadilly, of which the Rev. J. E. Kempe, M.A., is Rector.
Representation in Parliament.—The Parish of St.
James was formerly comprised in the Parliamentary Borough
of the City of Westminster, which returned two members to
Parliament, it now however forms a part of the Borough of
Strand, which returns one member, the present representative
being the Rt. Hon. W. H. Smith. The Register prepared in
1885 contains the names of 4,210 electors, viz. 4 on the Scot
and Lot List, 477 Lodgers, and 3,729 possessing other qualifications.