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93
Having regard to the heavy cost incurred in the erection
and maintenance of lunatic asylums, and to the contemplated
erection of a fourth asylum for the county of Middlesex, it
appeared to the Vestry that some such enquiry as they
suggested, might possibly be followed by a reduction in the
number of persons detained as lunatics, and consequently that
the necessity for another asylum might be avoided for the
present The Vestry accordingly invited other local
authorities in the Metropolis to support their representations
to the Prime Minister
It is to be regretted that the Government did not see their
way to instituting an enquiry, as supposing no amendment
in the law is necessary, it would be satisfactory to be assured
that adequate safeguards exist for the protection of the
liberty of the subject
RABID DOGS
The Vestry took into consideration a suggestion by the
Vestry of Lambeth, that an effort should be made to obtain
further legislation empowering some public authority to
destroy rabid dogs, but having regard to the powers already
possessed by the police for this purpose, the Vestry failed to
see the necessity for any further legislation
It would appear desirable, however, that every dog should
wear a collar identifying the owner of the animal, and some
such provision might serve the double purpose of reducing
the number of ownerless dogs wandering in the streets, and
eusuring payment of the license duty by all owners of dogs
liable thereto
A suggestion to publish a notice intimating the early
symptoms of rabies, and the best means of dealing with the
same, did not commend itself to the vestry, they being of
opinion that notices ot that description are calculated to alar u
persons of a nervous temperament, and to intensify the very
evil which such notices are intended to remedy